Adobe builds Photoshop using modern Windows APIs and graphics frameworks (like DirectX 12, DirectML for AI features, and Windows Ink for stylus input). These technologies were either introduced or significantly improved starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Older builds (such as version 1507 or 1511) lack the necessary system files and drivers to run Photoshop correctly.
If you're running an earlier version of Windows 10, you may have noticed that Photoshop crashes or refuses to launch. This is because Adobe has set a minimum system requirement for Photoshop to run on Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later. Adobe builds Photoshop using modern Windows APIs and