Activation issues on reinstall of CS5

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
October 29, 2025
2 replies
142 views

I am a proud owner of the CS5 suite and use only the photoshop program. I recently did a computer upgrade to windows 11 with new hardware, and there was no device showing in my Adobe ID profile to deactivate. I am now getting an activation of two devices already registered in the system, none available to deactivate. Photoshop only is used on my main computer. There are still no devices showing on my profile with new installation to work with. Suggestions? Remedies? Solutions? Thank you!

Windows

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Online deactivation of legacy CS products is impossible. That only works with modern subscription apps.

- https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/activate-deactivate-products.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/activation-deactivation-help.html

If the old devices are dead or no longer in your possession, you're stuck. You won't be allowed to activate CS on another device.

PHOTOSHOP CS5 REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
==============
Photoshop Elements (3 year license)
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Annual Photography plan.
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Hope that helps.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

kglad

Community Expert

that's misleading (though i know what you mean). online deactivation is possible, but only via a device that has a current activation (as everyone has already stated).

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

I guess I should have said REMOTE deactivation of legacy apps is impossible.

😁

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

John T Smith

Community Expert

The ONLY way to DE-activate one of your two allowed activations is from inside the program

If you did not deactivate before upgrading your computer, and the program now sees your system as new and needing activation, there is no way to solve the problem

Jeffrey_A_Wright

Community Manager

Sensguy, congratulations on the upgrade to Windows 11 and the new equipment. John is correct, you will need to deactivate one of your previous activations to use it on your new Windows 11 computer. Please see https://adobe.ly/47AtkFe for more information on how to manage any remaining activations for Creative Suite 5. ^JW

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