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wmorani
Participant
November 29, 2025
Question

Can't Load Adobe Photoshop Elements Unless I Get a New Email Address

  • November 29, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 337 views

I am having an issue with installing Adobe Elements (Photoshop).  The issue, according to Adobe, is that I need to get a second email address!  Let me explain. I do video editing so if one computer goes down, I have my backup.  I have Adobe Creative Cloud subscription with all the apps on both computers which is permitted under Adobe.  I also have Adobe Photoshop Elements for very small and easy quick fixes.  I also have Elements my laptop.  This year I decided to update my Elements program so I bought the 2025 version (Photoshop & Premier).  I installed the Program on my backup computer and of course logged into my Adobe account wich identifies me by my email address.  I got the message that said I exceeded the number of computer I have installed this program on and I need to delete one of them.  I was surprised because I do not have another 2025 (I paid for the full program, not just an update).  When I called Adobe they said they now look at the email address associated with my logon so it looked like I was trying to install Adobe Photoshop on more than 2 computers.  I explained that I was trying to install the 2025 Elements, not my full Creative Cloud Photoshop.  I was told it didn’t matter because Adobe recognized my email address, not the serial number or other program specific number.  If I wanted to install Photoshop Elements on my backup computer, or any other computer I needed to do so under a different email address.  This didn’t make sense so I talked to the person's supervisor and got the same answer.  Seems to me that Adobe needs to come up with a better solution rather than forcing the customers to come up with another email address.  If I had known that, I would not have bought the 2025 version and stuck with my 2023 version.   Is anyone having the same issue?

2 replies

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 1, 2025

this looks like part of a common problem that's existed since cc was released:  the cc desktop app takes over serialized apps

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 30, 2025

You are the first person I have seen who has reported this problem.  I agree with you entirely.  This should not happen and makes no sense whatsoever.  Given the level of support that we have seen reported recently, I would not be confident that you received a correct answer.  However, given the failure of Adobe to address a number of activation issues, I also can't say that it is wrong.  You may want to try posting your problem over on the Account, Payment & Plan Community forum.

wmorani
wmoraniAuthor
Participant
December 2, 2025

Thanks for the advice, I just posted it there.

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 2, 2025

they're unlikely to understand.  this sounds like a download & install problem to me.  

 

i just posted that solution at your duplicate https://community.adobe.com/t5/account-payment-plan-discussions/can-t-install-adobe-photoshop-elements-unless-i-get-a-new-email-address/m-p/15615867#M79350