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Can a legitimate CS3 Master Collection owner still obtain a replacement serial number?

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Hello,

I own a legitimate boxed copy of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection for Mac, including the original serial number.

After Adobe retired the CS3 activation servers, Adobe provided an activation-free replacement installer together with a new replacement serial number. I have been able to obtain the official Japanese Mac replacement installer from Adobe’s server, but I never went through the serial-number replacement process at the time, so I do not have the replacement serial.

The original retail serial does not appear to be sufficient for this activation-free replacement version.

I have read several other threads about this issue, so I realize that the situation may be very difficult now. Still, this particular version of Creative Suite means a great deal to me personally, and I have been searching for a legitimate way to use it again for about eight months.

Is there any official way today for a legitimate CS3 owner to obtain or reissue the replacement serial number, or any other official method to use the activation-free replacement installer?

I am not looking for a crack, key generator, or unauthorized serial number. I only want to use the CS3 license that I legitimately own.

If there is any remaining official option, department, or procedure I could try, I would be extremely grateful for any guidance.

Thank you very much for your time and help.

Nancy OSheaCorrect answer

Community Expert

ACROBAT:

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https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-editor.html
Free Acrobat Reader
https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Acrobat Standard, Pro & Studio
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

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Adobe Express (free or premium)
https://new.express.adobe.com/
Photoshop Elements (3 year license)
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html
Photography Plan (Lightroom & Photoshop bundle)
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

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?_??9667Author

Participating Frequently

I understand. I'm very sad, but I think I have to give up. I want to move to Creative Cloud, but I'm a student, and even the student version of Creative Cloud Pro is too expensive for me. Thank you very much for your prompt reply. Thank you for suggesting even better plans. I will refer to them.

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Nancy OShea

Correct answer

Community Expert

ACROBAT:

Free Online PDF Editor
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-editor.html
Free Acrobat Reader
https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Acrobat Standard, Pro & Studio
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

PHOTO:

Adobe Express (free or premium)
https://new.express.adobe.com/
Photoshop Elements (3 year license)
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html
Photography Plan (Lightroom & Photoshop bundle)
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html

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Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

?

?_??9667Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you for your reply. I see, this was certainly won at auction 8 months ago, and I could not register the Master Collection body, and only the included On Location and Acrobat 9 Pro could be registered properly. In addition, the license authentication server has stopped, so it is still impossible to issue a new serial number. I'm very sorry, but do I have to give up?

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leo.r

Community Expert

Yes, definitely you have to give up.

P.S. Your initial message gave me the impression that you owned the software since it was originally released, but it turns out you only won it 8 months ago.

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Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Untrusted products from auction sites like eBay, etc. are frequently pirated and/or infected with malware.

Buyer beware.

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Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Short answer: No.

Long answer: CS3 from 2007 is obsolete ware that can’t be used on modern devices. Besides, the activation servers no longer exist.

You’ll need to find replacements that can work on modern equipment.

Post back if you need recommendations.

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Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Jeff_A_Wright

Community Manager

Thank you for posting, @?_??9667

I understand why you're asking. You've done a significant amount of research and have made a good-faith effort to locate a legitimate path forward for your Creative Suite 3 license.

I reviewed the Adobe account associated with your community profile and was unable to locate a registered copy of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection under that account. Unfortunately, the CS3 activation infrastructure was retired many years ago, and Adobe no longer provides support or activation services for Creative Suite 3.

I realize that may not be the answer you were hoping for, especially given your legitimate ownership of the original boxed product. However, at this point, you'll need to consider a newer solution for your creative needs.

Please update this public discussion thread if you have any additional questions, @?_??9667.

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leo.r

Community Expert

It’s unlikely there’s a way to obtain this replacement serial number today. If there is such a way, I’m sure others will chime in.

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leo.r

Community Expert

@?_??9667 I have been able to obtain the official Japanese Mac replacement installer from Adobe’s server,

If this activation-free installer replacement process was only specific to the Japanese version, then try maybe to contact Adobe support in Japan directly and see if they have any solutions unknown to the general public.

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