Mess caused by upgrading to Photoshop Elements 13

Question

I have just upgraded from Photoshop Elements 12 to Photoshop Elements 13 via download.  I am not impressed.  First I had to or was directed to use a download manager of Japanese name!  With 50Mb cable broadband I don't need this, but the alternative seemed to have 2 files.  So I went with the provided download manager.  But this has put a folder on the Desktop - bit messy in my opinion.  Fortunately after download it is not needed to run 13.  (But why didn't the installation delete or make it clearer that you could put it else where??).  I now have Photoshop Elements 13 installed and it runs fine.  BUT I also have Photoshop Elements 12 which also runs.  There is not point in having 2 versions on this PC.  But when I look in the Control Panel un-install route I can only see Elements 13.  I can't find or see Photoshop Elements 12 listed, but this older version is present and I can find all its folders on the C directory program files area!! So how can I easily and cleanly remove Photoshop Elements 13?

Answer 1

Thanks Angryuk.  I have sent an Email to the CEO.  Here is what I sent.  It might encourage other Adobe users to push for better and more professional support even if the app PSE12 is only one behind!!!
Dear Sir
I was a regular home user of Photoshop Elements 12(PSE12) having purchased it by upgrade on
7 Oct 2013 (S/No: 1057-1302-7331-8029-4210-6039).  Then when I was powering up this application it said that Photoshop Elements 13 (PSE13) was available for upgrade on special offer by download.  So I purchased PSE13 on 13 Oct, 2014 (S/No: 1057-1314-3452-2773-6251-9919)
I realise that most software suppliers will not support old versions so on important packages such as PSE I always upgrade so that I am on the latest version.  (Also means I am a faithful customer of Adobe).  Most software companies will support the last issued version even though they have just upgraded.  They will eventually pull the plug but not for a short period following an upgrade/re-issue of software! (But Adobe doesn’t appear to follow this convention from my Help Web CHAT calls as you will see).
When I installed PSE13, I finished up with both PSE12 & PSE13 on my PC, both fully working.  However I couldn’t see the point in having both on my PC.  After if you only support PSE13 better to be on that. If there are any bugs in the new software, I will trust that a company of Adobe reputation will issue fixes in due course.
So I went to un-install PSE12 via the correct Windows Control Panel and un-install provided to un-install software cleanly.  But only PSE13 appeared but no PSE12, even though it is a fully running application.  So I used your Adobe Web Chat connection as I do have an Adobe account.  The first Chat was as follows:  (Your case number: 0185994907);Chat start time: Oct 13, 2014 7:55:56 AM; EST; Chat end time: Oct 13, 2014 8:46:33 AM EST; Duration (actual chatting time): 00:50:37; Operator: Rashmi. Brief details of the call: Rashmi: In that case we need to uninstall it manually ,
Graham Marriott: Do you not have a manual un-install program that I can download. Many  software companies have a program you can run to remove and clean off their programs!!
Rashmi: No we do not have any program Rashmi: http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/manually-remove-photoshop-elements-12.html (Tech note to manually remove PSE12).  I tried this but I cannot delete the PSE12 folder because it says in that it is use.  But I have stopped all Adobe services.  So used Web Chat for second time.
Chat start time: Oct 13, 2014 9:12:10 AM EST; Chat end time: Oct 13, 2014 10:41:06 AM EST
Duration (actual chatting time): 01:28:55; Operator: Honey Razdan.  Brief overview is that Honey took control of my PC (Honey Razdan: Please visit my virtual room at: so that I can check your computer to uninstall PSE 12.  But she couldn’t un-install PSE12 and it was taking ages for to delete even one folder!  The connection became broke to this chat. 
So I tried again: Chat start time: Oct 13, 2014 11:06:07 AM EST; Chat end time: Oct 13, 2014 11:25:25 AM EST; Duration (actual chatting time): 00:19:17; Operator: Aditya Jha; Aditya Jha :        But I can help you only with Elements 13 products; Aditya Jha :    We do have people on forums to help you.
So I spent a whole afternoon (3.5 hours on chat itself) to try and solve this problem. The message I get from Adobe is that you do not support PSE12 but only PSE13 which you have only just issued. Rather than provide a professional support on a just upgraded version you pass the responsibility to the Adobe Forum to try and help me solve the problem.  It is true that most Forums are brilliant with many fine engineers.   But I feel a company like Adobe should provide good technical support and I don’t feel that is what I am receiving.  Your graphic products in comparison to other similar products are expensive.  Although I recognise that they are high quality and functionality.  But this whole experience has left me somewhat disillusioned with Adobe.  I feel that I will never be able to delete PSE12 even though I am ex IT engineer and quite capable of administrating a PC.  I look forward to a reply from Adobe that will restore my confidence not just in your products but in the service you provide.
Yours Truly
Graham Marriott