Participating Frequently

Question

License not activating after clean OS install on new SSD

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
September 17, 2025
3 replies
764 views

Hi ya. Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 is not activating after doing a clean Windows 11 Pro install on a new SSD on same laptop. Almost 3 years ago, Adobe chat had to increase the number of uses due to a new motherboard. I assume that is why I am having problems again. I get an error message the next time I launch the app after entering the serial number stating there is only a 7 day trial. So, it does not seem to me to be accepting my serial number any longer. The chat option is no longer available to reach Adobe. The Community is the only option. How do I resolve this with Adobe? Thank you all for the help.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Acrobat 2017 is End of Life.

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/end-of-support-acrobat-2017-reader-2017.html

In the interest of security & compatibility, you shouldn't be using unsupported apps, especially when better ones are readily available to you.

FREE Acrobat Reader
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

FREE Online PDF Editor
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-editor.html\

Paid Acrobat (Standard, Pro or Studio)
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

C

c_3318Author

Participating Frequently

I did not know that. And very true. I need the paid features, and unfortuntely an upgrade is not possible for me. Thank you for making me aware though.

kglad

Community Expert

i think we already went through this, but do you have anything cc on your computer?

John T Smith

Community Expert

>Almost 3 years ago, Adobe chat had to increase the number of uses

New Adobe policy is that an activation count may NOT be reset by support... if you did not DE-activate when the program was working you have no option for activation

C

c_3318Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you John. So, go back to the old drive and deactivate then hopefully the error will go away correct?

Without swapping the old drive in an back out again, is there a way I can connect the old drive via USB and nagivate to somewhere to remove the registration?

kglad

Community Expert

Thank you John. So, go back to the old drive and deactivate then hopefully the error will go away correct?

Without swapping the old drive in an back out again, is there a way I can connect the old drive via USB and nagivate to somewhere to remove the registration?

By @c_3318

no.

and if that were the problem, you would see an excess activation count message when trying to activate. if you're still confused, copy and paste into a reply here a screenshot of what you see after signing in and entering your serial number.

kglad

Community Expert

what problem do you see when activating?

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c_3318Author

Participating Frequently

there is only a 7 day trial

kglad

Community Expert

then activate. i assume you'll encounter a problem and that problem is important

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