Photoshop Free Trial
Trial access is the only legitimate way to run the complete desktop editor without paying. This page covers how it works, how to start it on Windows or macOS, and what to plan for before the last day.
Short answer
The trial installs the complete desktop editor on Windows or macOS for a period Adobe sets, signed in with an Adobe account. When the period ends the application stops opening and your saved files stay untouched. Trial length and terms change, so the official page is the one to read.
What a trial actually is
A trial is the full application, licensed to you for a set period rather than cut down in features. You install it the same way a paying customer would, sign in with an Adobe account, and work normally. When the period ends the application stops opening until a plan is attached to the account — your files stay where they are.
Trial length, eligibility and whether a payment method is requested up front are all set by Adobe and change from time to time. We deliberately do not print a number of days here; the official page above is the one to read.
Supported platforms
- Windows: 64-bit Windows on a supported release. See the Windows page for detail.
- macOS: native on Apple silicon, with Intel support depending on the version. See the Mac page.
- Browser and mobile: separate tools with their own free tiers, unrelated to the desktop trial.
Make the trial period count
Because the clock starts at installation rather than at first use, it is worth preparing before you install: confirm your machine meets the system requirements, clear enough disk space, and gather the files for the project you want to finish. Installing on a Friday and then not touching it for a week wastes a noticeable share of the window.
Setup
Installing the trial
The trial installs through Adobe's own installer, so the sequence matches a paid installation exactly.
Choose an authorized source
Start from Adobe's own site or another source the software owner has authorized. Check the address bar before you download anything.
Download the installer
Save the installer to a folder you can find again, such as Downloads.
Open the installer
Run the downloaded file and allow it to make changes when your operating system asks.
Sign in when asked
Desktop installation normally requires signing in with an Adobe account so the licence can be applied.
Complete the installation
Keep the installer open until it reports success. Installation time depends on your disk and connection speed.
Launch the application
Open the editor and create a test document to confirm everything works.
Check for updates
Install available updates so you have the latest fixes and security patches.
When the trial ends
Two things happen: the application stops launching, and any cloud features tied to the account revert to their free limits. Documents saved locally are untouched and can be opened in other editors — most free alternatives read layered PSD files, though complex layer styles and smart objects may flatten.
Cancellation, if you did subscribe
If a trial converted into a paid plan and you want to stop, cancellation is handled in your Adobe account rather than on this site. Adobe's own terms govern notice periods and any early-termination charge, so read them on the plan page before you subscribe rather than after.
Repeatedly restarting trials
Creating new accounts to restart a trial breaches the terms you agree to at sign-up, and tools that claim to reset trial timers are the same category of software we warn about on the cracked-copy page. If you need unlimited free use, use an editor that is free by design.