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BrianHL
Participant
September 15, 2025
Answered

Anyone Have An Available CS5 Serial Key?

  • September 15, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1225 views

I recognize this to be an unusual request, but here goes:

  • I have a licensed copy of CS5 on a Windows 10 PC
  • I just bought a new Windows 11 PC as 10 will soon be non-supported
  • I spent an hour or so online with an Adobe Chat rep on Friday, who very expertly and helpfully loaded the CS5 install packet onto my new machine, and also helped me find the full (24-digit) Serial Key for my existing CS5
  • Unfortunately upon installation execution, we hit a roadblock because apparently my CS5 license was an upgrade license, and (of course) the CS5 install process is expecting to see my previous Photoshop instance (probably Photoshop Elements) on my new PC.
  • So now I'm in a Catch-22...   I have a legal, legitimate CS5 license.  I have a new PC to install it on.  I just don't have the previous version of Photoshop to complete the installation.   (and unfortunately the Adobe rep told me they don't have an available, non-upgrade CS5 Serial Key.)

 

 

Bottom Line:  Just on the off chance that there's someone out there that is now in the subscription Photoshop world that still has their old CS5 serial number that they'd like to donate to a worthy cause (ME!), then I'd be very grateful.

Correct answer davescm

Supplying you with another users license key would break the license terms and forum guidelines. The previous version does not have to be installed, but you would need it's license to hand.
Dave

2 replies

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Peru BobCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 27, 2026

the CS5 install process is expecting to see my previous Photoshop instance (probably Photoshop Elements) on my new PC.

 

The old app doesn’t need to be installed.

You should have the option to enter the serial number of the app that you upgraded from.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 15, 2025

Supplying you with another users license key would break the license terms and forum guidelines. The previous version does not have to be installed, but you would need it's license to hand.
Dave

    Dan2515252226o3
    Dan2515252226o3
    Participant
    January 27, 2026

    Adobe has broken their license terms by not allowing deactivations of products, yet somehow, activations are still monitored.

     

    I have a legal copy of CS5.5 and I cannot deactivate it because Adobe has disconnected those servers. Therefore, I can’t activate it on a replacement computer. Spent an hour on a remote session, and they could not deactivate it, either.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 27, 2026

    deactivation servers are still working.  what has changed is that adobe has increased the security required (of contacting computers) to upload data to its servers.

     

    see https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/activation-limit-reached-for-non-subscription-adobe-desktop-applications/td-p/14804413?linkId=100000376554410

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