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Participant
Jul 19, 2017 11:23 PM UTC
Answered

I purchased CS5 years ago, but attempts to download it now fail as my serial number comes back as invalid.

I, of course, double checked the numbers but they are correct.  What to do?  I notice in my purchase history, this does not even show up.

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    kglad
    kgladCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Jul 19, 2017 11:54 PM UTC

    assuming you're using a valid adobe serial number (6 groups of 4 numbers), you have a mismatch between your installation file and serial number.  ie, you can have a valid serial number, but if it's for program A and your installation file is for program B, you will see an invalid serial number message.

    common mismatches are language/region (eg, serial number is for western europe and installation file is eastern europe), platform (eg, serial number is for a mac and installation file is win), license type (eg, education vs enterprise vs individual).

    and one of the most common is using a program installation file with a suite's serial number. eg, using a cs6 suite serial number with a photoshop cs6 installation file.  that won't work even though photoshop is included in that suite.  you must use the suite's installation file (and you can choose to only install one program from the suite).

    here's official info about that error,  http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-valid-product.html

    3 replies

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Dec 24, 2020 2:56 PM UTC

    you're welcome.

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    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jul 20, 2017 5:23 PM UTC
    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Jul 19, 2017 11:54 PM UTC

    assuming you're using a valid adobe serial number (6 groups of 4 numbers), you have a mismatch between your installation file and serial number.  ie, you can have a valid serial number, but if it's for program A and your installation file is for program B, you will see an invalid serial number message.

    common mismatches are language/region (eg, serial number is for western europe and installation file is eastern europe), platform (eg, serial number is for a mac and installation file is win), license type (eg, education vs enterprise vs individual).

    and one of the most common is using a program installation file with a suite's serial number. eg, using a cs6 suite serial number with a photoshop cs6 installation file.  that won't work even though photoshop is included in that suite.  you must use the suite's installation file (and you can choose to only install one program from the suite).

    here's official info about that error,  http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-valid-product.html

    Translate