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PMacc94
Participant
Mar 21, 2026 5:28 PM UTC
Question

I have a CS 6 license I am trying to activate on a new computer but I keep getting a "Installed on too many devices" error. I have no idea what devices it's installed on and they're not mine. What do I do?

I have been through 2 personal computers and 2 work computers and it is not installed on any of them.  Why can’t I use my Photoshop ?

    7 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Mar 24, 2026 1:51 AM UTC

    Your CS product license came with 2 activations. 

    If the machine(s) on which it was activated were lost or died, sadly those activations can’t be recovered through deactivation.

     

    Option 1: Photoshop Elements (3 year license)

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

    Option 2: Annual Photography Plan (PS & LR bundle)

    https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html

     

    Hope that helps.

     

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    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Mohddanish
    Participant
    Mar 23, 2026 9:44 PM UTC

    Please try to simply resset your password and you should be able to login to your new device. Cheers! 

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    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Mar 23, 2026 10:13 PM UTC

    ​@Mohddanish 

     

    that’s not going to help anyone with the stated problem.

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    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Mar 22, 2026 12:53 PM UTC

    p.s. this should be in the download & install forum.

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    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Mar 22, 2026 2:08 AM UTC

    Have you changed any major hardware (hard drive, mobo, etc.)?

    That might count as another activation.

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    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Mar 21, 2026 5:32 PM UTC

    ​@PMacc94 

     

    the only way to restore an activation is to use a computer that has a current activation and that meets adobe’s security requirements.

     

    if that’s impossible, it’s impossible to restore an activation.

     

    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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