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Participant
August 13, 2021
Answered

Creative Suite CS3 - How to Activate? [CS3 is DEAD]

  • August 13, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 804 views

As others have stated, we paid large sums of money for Adobe Creative Suite CS3 and NOW, when we buy a new

computer and install it,  we cannot ACTIVATE IT !!!  

 I understand it is old, but I need it for my job.

The only way I can continue to use it is to keep my VERY OLD COMPUTER as a backup.

This is a shame and Adobe does not care  about their customers... I am OK using an old program, I do not need

the new CLOUD features, but they are blocking me.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer John T Smith

Not possible - The CS2-CS3-CS4 activation servers have been removed from service
-https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite.html?promoid=19SCDRQK

3 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 13, 2021

Sorry to say CS3 is officially dead. 

 

I don't know which apps you use but Creative Suite is no longer legally sold in any country.  You will need modern software that's compatible with modern equipment.  If not Creative Cloud, then something comparable.

 

Photoshop Elements 2021 can be purchased without a subscription. 

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:
- Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
- Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
- Lightroom Classic
- Portfolio website + hosting
- Spark with premium features
- Bridge
- 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud All Apps (51 + apps & services) and Single Apps Plans
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

 

=============
Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell you software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away! Real Adobe employees will never reach out via Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail or Skype.
=============
3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
https://tinyurl.com/10791730

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
LinSims
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 13, 2021

After 12 years, I'd say you got your money's worth from it.

 

The activation servers were failing and couldn't be kept running any longer. The software run on them won't run on modern equipment/OS's.

 

It's not that Adobe "doesn't care" about their customers, it's that it is impossible for them to support activation of long-ago retired software.

John T Smith
Community Expert
John T SmithCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 13, 2021

Not possible - The CS2-CS3-CS4 activation servers have been removed from service
-https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite.html?promoid=19SCDRQK