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Multiple versions of Adobe software to deactivate

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
September 20, 2020
5 replies
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Hi all,

I work in a constantly evolving print studio. Over the years we have accumulated multiple versions of Creative Suite, installed for multiple users on multiple macs that we now no longer have the details for, the registered emails have evolved with the company and the macs are long since dead and in the digital graveyard.

how do I deactivate all of this software? Do I even need to if I was to sell the software on?

thanks in advance.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Nancy OShea

It's 2020 and this is where things stand right now. CS1, CS2 and CS3 are dead & gone. The activation servers were removed from service years ago. Even if you find an installer, it's impossible to activate the software.

CS4, CS5 and CS6 are on life support. Adobe removed links to installers but they can still be activated providing you have the following:
1. original media (disks or downloads) you received at purchase and a way to read them,
2. a legitimate serial number for that version, language and platform (Win/Mac),
3. an older operating system that can support legacy 32-bit apps.
--------------------------
NOTE 1 : Creative Suite installers won't work on macOS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave without terminal workarounds. See the help article below.
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

NOTE 2: Creative Suite cannot run on Catalina. Either downgrade your OS, set-up a virtual machine or get all new, 64-bit software. Your choice. https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

NOTE 3: Legacy Creative Suite is discontinued & unsupported. Use at your own risk. Adobe won't help with anything except an activation count reset.

NOTE 4: Transfer of license is not possible with educational, volume licensed or OEM versions. And if the buyer needs a language/platform swap, they are out of luck.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/transfer-product-license.html

Outdated software has about as much value as last month's newspaper. Just put it in the recycle bin where it belongs 🙂

=============
Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell/buy software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away!
=============
3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
https://tinyurl.com/10791730

ProDesignTools

Community Expert

If the software was installed and not deactivated before the systems were decommissioned, then the only way to deactivate the software on those machines is to contact Adobe Customer Care with the serial numbers and ask for their activation counts to be reset.

However, as other folks mentioned, CS3 and earlier can no longer be reactivated in any case: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite.html

CS4-CS6 can be reactivated and can be legally transferred, but those versions are all at least eight years old now and not supported on modern operating systems.

Nancy OShea

Correct answer

Community Expert

It's 2020 and this is where things stand right now. CS1, CS2 and CS3 are dead & gone. The activation servers were removed from service years ago. Even if you find an installer, it's impossible to activate the software.

CS4, CS5 and CS6 are on life support. Adobe removed links to installers but they can still be activated providing you have the following:
1. original media (disks or downloads) you received at purchase and a way to read them,
2. a legitimate serial number for that version, language and platform (Win/Mac),
3. an older operating system that can support legacy 32-bit apps.
--------------------------
NOTE 1 : Creative Suite installers won't work on macOS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave without terminal workarounds. See the help article below.
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

NOTE 2: Creative Suite cannot run on Catalina. Either downgrade your OS, set-up a virtual machine or get all new, 64-bit software. Your choice. https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

NOTE 3: Legacy Creative Suite is discontinued & unsupported. Use at your own risk. Adobe won't help with anything except an activation count reset.

NOTE 4: Transfer of license is not possible with educational, volume licensed or OEM versions. And if the buyer needs a language/platform swap, they are out of luck.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/transfer-product-license.html

Outdated software has about as much value as last month's newspaper. Just put it in the recycle bin where it belongs 🙂

=============
Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell/buy software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away!
=============
3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
https://tinyurl.com/10791730

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Just Shoot Me

Legend

In short you don't need to deactivate any of the software and you can't sell it as most of it will not work on modern computer and or activated by Adobe as they have shut down the activation servers.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

To sell the software you need to complete a transfer form as the original owner. Note that CS 1 through 3 can no longer be activated, so selling them would just get an angry refund. And that no CS will run on a new Mac.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

To sell the software you need to complete a transfer form as the original owner. Note that Cs1-3 can no longer be activated, so selling them would just get an angry refund.

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