Question

CS5 re-install after a Windows 10 re-installation

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
January 17, 2026
2 replies
213 views

I had to reinstall Windows and my Adobe CS5 on my laptop and it's saying that I have exceeded the limit for installations. I can't find where my installs are listed so I can try and manage them and change over to the CS5 re-install

-Steve

Activation

S

steve_in_ottawaAuthor

Perhaps it would help for me to add that Acrobat seem to have installed okay, but only Indesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator are giving me a problem message for exceeding the number of CS5 installs.

John T Smith

Community Expert

I don't know the 'package' you have with different programs, but when I bought CS5 Master Collection many years ago Acrobat had a different serial number so it was installed independtly of the rest of the programs

S

steve_in_ottawaAuthor

Yes, I have the same package, I believe, with Acrobat Pro separate from the other three programs. It seems to have reinstalled with no problems and no warning screens.

kglad

Community Expert

the only way to deactivate now is to use a computer with a current activation.

S

steve_in_ottawaAuthor

thank you for the fast reply. I can see the deactivate screen on my desktop computer and the two options available. But frankly I'm concerned about what might happen to my desktop installation if I hit one of the buttons. Does one of them take me to a place where I can see both install details and I can delete the unneeded one?

kglad

Community Expert

if you click deactivate on a working computer you're taking a risk. almost certainly you will immediately deactivate locally. whether you convey that deactivation to adobe's servers so you can use that activation slot on another computer is iffy.

carefully read this before even attempting such a risky step, https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/activation-limit-reached-for-non-subscription-adobe-desktop-applications/td-p/14804413?linkId=100000305463075

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