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.

 

[pro-UP]

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?

Have you worked on the website portal? The desktop has not been as reliable lately, so we switched to the online version. The one issue with the online version is needing to save frequently. We haven't had any issues with different file versions, but maybe this could help you.

 

[John Miller]

Call up the file in 2026, export it to a PDF, open the PDF in any Corel you like and save it in that version. viola, now your file is whatever version you want.

 

[Bobby H]

It's true older versions of CorelDRAW have never been able to open CDR files saved in a newer version format. However, the past few versions of CorelDRAW have not been able to open or import CDR files saved in version 5 or earlier. Some of us old timers have archived CDR files that date back that far. Meanwhile Adobe Illustrator can open AI and EPS files that date back to the late 1980's. Inkscape can import CDR files, even very old ones, but the import results are not all that great. Illustrator supposedly can import CorelDRAW CDR files, but only in versions 5 thru 10. The past few versions of CorelDRAW can down-save no farther back than version X5. This is another point where Illustrator beats Corel; you can down-save AI files in a range of Creative Suite versions as well as versions 10, 9, 8 and 3.

Another Corel-related problem: if you export an Adobe Illustrator .AI file from CorelDRAW and the file contains any live text objects it will not open in either Illustrator 2026 or 2025. An error box stating "Illustrator could partially open this file" will be displayed and then it will open a blank document. It takes having a working copy of Illustrator 2024 or earlier still installed to open the Corel-exported AI file, then re-save the AI file in that older version of Illustrator so it can open successfully in the newer version.

 

[Ronny Axelsson]

It's true older versions of CorelDRAW have never been able to open CDR files saved in a newer version format.

True, and for those working with multiple versions, it's been essential to use "Save As..." and select the earliest version in your environment to ensure it can be opened on all computers.

Corel has made it easier for us in the later versions (don't remember exactly but around version 2024) by allowing users to set the default version when saving.
In Options > CorelDRAW > Save, there is an option to choose default version (scroll down in the dialog to find it), and it goes all the way back to version 15.0.
Worth noting is that if you choose an old version, some newer effects might not be supported so they will be converted and can not be restored, so be careful.