After what happened in the last two or three days, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the installer files for the non-expiring versions would suddenly disappear for unknown reasons… The full installers used to be available via the forum page of the respective release, but for GPAI the links in the forum only point to the online installer. The full installer for GPAI is not on the legacy software pages, either. I copied a link to SharpenAI full installer (which is still there) and replaced “Sharpen” by “Gigapixel”. The doctored link seems to work:
Just in case anyone else is as mistrustful as me as to if the permanent versions of GPAI will still be available after the subscription model has ben rolled out…
which, as I wrote, is a link to the online installer. If Topaz decide to pull the permanently usable versions after rolling out the subscribed ones, the online installer, even if still available, is of exactly zero use in case the full installer behind it is no longer on the server space.
Given Topaz’ proceeding as to no longer providing permanently usable software even to those subscribed for it, I have no confidence in the permanent software versions being available for much longer after 9/16. Having a full installer provides at least some certainty to be able to re-install 8.4.2 in case it gets necessary, for example after the looming update to Windows 11.
Also of course the Topaz licence verification & installation server has to remain operational - the .msi files may run but must be verified to actually use the software …
It is so sad that user trust in Topaz has sunk to this level.
For many years I admired Topaz spirit, innovation and development … not so now.
The first major break in trust was of course the abrupt ending of lifetime support and upgrades - which upset so many users and a substantial exodus.
This 2nd breach of trust and with hindsight the apparent deliberate delaying tactics of the last few months - promising 8.5.0 “shortly” - “in a few days” - “very soon” - certainly leave a bad taste in the mouth for me.
I renewed my Photo AI upgrades year package on 31 August 2025 expecting to see 8.5.0 within days - what a sucker !!!
For me it’s not so much a change to subscription being imposed so abruptly - it’s the manner in which it has been done with repeated false promises proceeding it and with such badly executed and confused announcements.
Together with the apparent “Closure” of the 8.4.2 and 8.5.0.beta5 Community Topics the whole thing is just so depressing.
