Corel Forcing to Use New Files Only

[CizreK]

Has anyone had any issues with this and if so what kind of problems have occurred? I've been using Corel for over 25+ years and have always been a fan. I always get it installed anywhere I work.

After 2024 they did the update where you can not open new files with older versions. I have always been the type to keep a backlog of the programs. So I have a couple versions but usually will keep 2023, 2024, 2025, etc just in case.

Now they just released 2026 and it is saying you can not open a 2026 file in 2025. On paper this seems like you would not run into issues but since these companies like to be greedy and try to lock you into subscriptions that type of corruption will always lead to errors.

What kinds of issues has anyone had from this new 'feature' they have forced on us?

 

[unclebun]

Corel Draw has always had it where files made with a newer version could not be opened with older versions. The same is true of pretty much any software. They have features in the newer versions which the older versions cannot interpret or use. This goes way back, much farther back before anyone even considered software as a subscription.

There is no point in using an older version if you have the newest, since older files WILL open in the newer version.

 

[CizreK]

Corel Draw has always had it where files made with a newer version could not be opened with older versions. The same is true of pretty much any software. They have features in the newer versions which the older versions cannot interpret or use. This goes way back, much farther back before anyone even considered software as a subscription.

There is no point in using an older version if you have the newest, since older files WILL open in the newer version.

I disagree. Having multiple versions of a software can save you in many cases and they have for me a lot. Not just Corel. Every program. Updates can break things sometimes. Example is the 2026 version of Indesign was totally glitched out for me. I remain on 2025.

 

[unclebun]

Well, you do you. Obviously if a version crashes or doesn't work, I would stay put until they fixed it. However if you install the new one and it works fine, there's no reason to continue using older versions.

 

[CizreK]

An example of having multi programs and saving multiple files is like. If you convert to the 2026 and then have issues with that version your old file is locked into 2026. I've had alot of crazy things happen to files. Sometimes a file can just self-destruct and new program updates can do that.

 

[unclebun]

Your files would only be 2026 if you opened them and saved them as 2026 files in the 2026 version. In Corel Draw, you could open the file, choose Save As, and then select an older version to save the file as. Or you could use you backups to restore the older version of the file.