A: No. Adobe discontinued DVD-based activation servers in 2021. That CD is a coaster. You still need a subscription to authenticate online.
A: Yes! This is Adobe's "side-by-side" installation feature. You can have three generations of Photoshop installed simultaneously. Just ensure you have enough hard drive space. Conclusion: Is Downloading Photoshop CC 2017 for Mac Worth It? Download Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 for Mac is a viable strategy for exactly one scenario: You are a paid Creative Cloud subscriber using a Mac running macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, or Catalina . Download Adobe Photoshop Cc 2017 For Mac
Why? Because the 2017 version represents a sweet spot: it is stable, feature-rich (introducing the transformative Select and Mask workspace), and—crucially—it runs smoothly on older Mac hardware that might choke on newer Creative Cloud builds. You still need a subscription to authenticate online
For everyone else—especially those on modern Apple Silicon Macs or OS versions beyond 2020—trying to force CC 2017 to run is an exercise in frustration. You are better off investing that troubleshooting time into learning the current version of Photoshop (2025/2026) or purchasing a perpetual license for Affinity Photo. You can have three generations of Photoshop installed
Do not search Google for random .dmg files. Only download via the official Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app. If you don't have a subscription, visit www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans to start your 7-day free trial of the current version (which legally allows you to install CC 2017 as a "previous version"). Did this guide help you? Share it with a fellow designer who is struggling with their legacy Mac. Last updated May 2026 to reflect current Adobe server status and macOS compatibility.