Skip to main content
P
photo coach
Participating Frequently
May 1, 2023
Question

Re: I'm stuck in a licencing loop [Branched from old topic]

  • May 1, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2256 views

This is so frustrating! I’m experiencing this now too. Thanks, Adobe for being so difficult about this. At least if you’re not supporting it and it’s no longer for sale, you could give us a way to unlock the trial for good. Those of us who’ve used Fireworks for over a decade and still need to export files out of it would be served better.

 

Such an easy solution available for a product they don’t even care about anymore.

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

P
Paul-M
Legend
May 1, 2023

Assuming you're on a Windows machine? No need for the Muse workaround, try the below options (tested on Windows 10 and Windows 11):

 

1) Launch the Creative Cloud app

2) From your  profile icon (top right) click sign out

3) Then, Select file => Exit Creative Cloud (top left) to exit the Creative Cloud app

4) Now launch Fireworks, you will be prompted to login with your Adobe sign in details, do so

5) If you see a 'license this software' button click it, that should do the job.

 

*If the above does not work try this:

 

1) Uninstall Fireworks from your machine

2) Rename the following folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE to OOBE_BK

3) Download an offline Fireworks installer from here (these are official Adobe installers), be sure to visit this page first and sign in with your Adobe login to set an Adobe cookie, otherwise the download will not work.

4) Now install Fireworks with the offline installer you downloaded

5) Make sure you turn off automatic updates in the Creative Cloud app (in preferences=>apps) afterwards, otherwise it will update Fireworks and you may get the same issue again.

6) See if Fireworks will now launch, if presented with a 'license this software' button click it.

 

Paul-M - Community Expert
    P
    photo coachAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 2, 2023

    Nope this definitely doesn’t work. I’ve completely clean uninstalled CC and then reinstalled:

    1. One time with Fireworks only, without CC

    2. One time with CC first and then Fireworks from within CC.

     

    No joy.

     

    So far, my solution has been finding a CS5 image of the Master Collection and installing that, because I still have the serial numbers for CS4 and the upgrade to CS5. It’s just really customer unfriendly to say, well, we no longer support that so the money you spent on it is down the sewer; sorry, not sorry, it’s your problem. I’m not even asking for support. All I want is to not be cut off from using software I already paid for and was working fine on the system I left intact for it to run.

     

    When people ask me why I’m so negative about Adobe, this is one of those reasons.

    P
    photo coachAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 2, 2023

    So this just gets better and better. I uninstalled all my CC2020 apps because of this mess with Fireworks. But now, there doesn’t seem to be a way to reinstall the 2020 apps!

     

    Great work Adobe. Seriously. You’ve checked every single box for Frustrate The User Through UX and UI At Every Possible Turn And Make Them Spend 8 Hours Of Their Work Day Trying To Install Software Instead Of Use It. 10 out of 10!

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2023

    @photo coach.,

    You've resurrected an old topic.  I'm moving this to a new topic for you.

     

    Assuming you have a compatible computer system that supports legacy software, and a paid Individual plan to Creative Cloud All Apps plan, run the Adobe Cleaner Tool below to wipe old Adobe installations off your system.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

     

    After removing apps, restart your computer.

     

    Using a computer user profile with Administrative Permissions, reinstall Fireworks from your Creative Cloud Desktop App.

    If you don't see it listed, click your Avatar > Preferences > APPS tab > Settings > Check the box to Show Older (Previous) Versions.

     

    Click the ALL APPS tab on the left and scroll down.  See screenshot.

     

     

    Install Fireworks. 

     

    If you still can't activate FW, install Muse.  Muse appears to help some users get beyond the FW licensing loop.

     

    Hope that helps.  Good luck.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    P
    photo coachAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    May 1, 2023

    I’m also trying everything. Nothing has worked so far. I’m still working on Adobe support to either get me a serial code that works or a script to disable the trial period lockout, which is frankly stupid at this point. If they don’t care about the product, why even bother keeping it locked? All I want is to run the damn app so I can export as many files as I can find. I’m just annoyed that I can’t even reset the trial period any more.

     

    Nothing. Not one lousy hack works when none of it even matters to Adobe any more. So so stupid.

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 1, 2023

    Merged with original post.  There's no point in cross posting. 

     

    I'm sorry to say, this user-to-user community is your only resource for help with discontinued software. Adobe support will refer you back to this forum.

     

    Fireworks alternative that can open layered PNG files.
    - PhotoPea: https://www.photopea.com/

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices