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If you haven't yet installed Adobe Photoshop CS3 (or the Adobe Creative Suite) on your computer, keep the following pointers in mind:
- Install only into the default location. Photoshop is a resource-intensive program. Installing it into the default location (go to Applications on a Mac and C:\Program Files for Windows) ensures that it has access to the operating system and hardware as necessary. Installing into any other location or attempting to run Photoshop across a network can lead to frustrating problems and loss of work in progress.
- Disable all spyware and antivirus software before installing. Antivirus software can intercept certain installation procedures, deeming them to be hazardous to your computer's health. That can lead to malfunctions, crashes, lost work, and frustration. If you use antivirus software, turn it off before installing any program, especially one as complex as Photoshop. You might find the antivirus program's icon in the Windows taskbar; or you might need to go to the Start menu, use All Programs to locate the antivirus software, and disable it. On a Mac, check the Dock. And don't forget to restart your antivirus software afterward! If you already installed Photoshop and antivirus software was running at the time, uninstall and reinstall. (Reinsert the Photoshop CS3 CD and launch the installer to use the built-in uninstall feature.)
 | - If you use autobackup software, shut it down, too. Never run autobackup software when installing software. Like antivirus software, it can also lead to problems by interfering with the installer.
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- Connect to the Internet and activate right away. It's best to run the Photoshop installer while your computer is connected to the Internet. That enables Photoshop's activation process to happen right away, making sure you can get started as soon as the installer finishes.
- If you have third-party plug-ins, install them elsewhere. Third-party plug-ins — those filters and other Photoshop add-ons that you buy from companies other than Adobe — can be installed into a folder outside the Photoshop folder. You can then make an alias (Mac) or shortcut (Windows) to that folder and drag the alias/shortcut to Photoshop's Plug-Ins folder. (If you have a multibutton mouse, right-click the folder to create an alias/shortcut; Control+click if you're still using a one-button mouse.) Why install outside the Photoshop folder? Should you ever need to (gasp!) reinstall Photoshop, you won't need to reinstall all your third-party plug-ins. Just create a new alias/shortcut and move it into Photoshop's new Plug-Ins folder.
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