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tuna_3676
Participant
April 24, 2025
Answered

license

  • April 24, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 286 views

Hello,
I have an Adobe Web Premium CS5 license that I registered to my company in 2012. Although I uninstalled the program from my old computer, the license deactivation process did not work properly due to the outdated Windows version, and the product registration is still linked to that machine.
When I try to install it on my new computer, it says that the license is already in use. I tried to remove the license via my Adobe account, but no registered computer appears there.
As a result, how can I deactivate this license and install it on my new computer?

Correct answer Nancy OShea

CS5 is outdated software from 14 years ago.  It's way beyond its 'replace me' date. 

If you're not able to deactivate CS5 from your previous device, you're stuck. It can't be activated on a new machine.

 

MODERN OPTIONS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography (Annual & Monthly plan options). Includes the following:
Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
Camera Raw
Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
Lightroom Classic
Portfolio website + hosting
Bridge
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud Bundles & Single App Plans for mobile, web & desktops
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

 

2 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 24, 2025

CS5 is outdated software from 14 years ago.  It's way beyond its 'replace me' date. 

If you're not able to deactivate CS5 from your previous device, you're stuck. It can't be activated on a new machine.

 

MODERN OPTIONS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography (Annual & Monthly plan options). Includes the following:
Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
Camera Raw
Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
Lightroom Classic
Portfolio website + hosting
Bridge
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud Bundles & Single App Plans for mobile, web & desktops
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
kglad
Community Expert
kgladCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 24, 2025

you have to use the old computer.

 

reinstall cs5 and hope it's still showing activated or, at least, can be activated.  then update the os and default browser > deactivate and test if that deactivation was successful.

T
tuna_3676Author
Participant
April 24, 2025

I’ve done all of these, but even though it says it has been deactivated, it still doesn’t work. Can’t I deactivate this license from my Adobe account?

kglad
Community Expert
kgladCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 24, 2025

no. 

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