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davidg44737659
Known Participant
September 17, 2021
Answered

Transfer LR 5.7 to a different mac.

  • September 17, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 801 views

I have used adobe software since PS 2 but now I am retired as a professional I am slimming down my equipment, including computers.
I want to transfer my copy of LR 5.7 to another, newer MacAir but I can't see a way to do it. 
It seems that after my many years supporting Adobe I am no longer able to receive support from them and the Forum is the only choice offered. 
There seems to be no way to download it from Adobe 
I think I have all the correct serial numbers etc but can still find no way to do it.
Anyone know of a workaround ? 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Jim Wilde

Finally managed it today !!!
Wiped the install from the MacBook Air and started afresh.

As previously mentioned I have signed out of Lightroom on my desktop MacPro which should free up a 'space' to allow installation on another computer.

Proceeded with the installation on the MacBook air (OS10.13.6). 
This time, for reasons I can't explain, the dialogues were slightly different.

I was asked to put in the serial number of an earlier version of LR.

Fortunately I still had the details of LR4 which I duly entered and Adobe accepted that and then when requested I entered the LR6 serial number and hallelujah ! it worked a simple and trouble free install.

I am surprised though that I had never before been asked for an earlier serial number (ie the LR4 version).
Anyway it is now up and running and I am delighted to have my favourite quick and easy editing package back.
I'll still use Capture One on the MacPro for any professional work that requires intensive colour work etc. but going to LR is like a holiday afterwards.


quote

I am surprised though that I had never before been asked for an earlier serial number (ie the LR4 version).

 

What happens when an older Lightroom version, such as LR4, is installed on a system for the first time, the registration number that you enter is saved to a sub-folder inside the LR installation libraries. When you subsequently install a later version which was purchased as an upgrade, the registration process needs the licence number of a "qualifying" product (such as the original LR4 number) as well of course as the registration number of the new product. However the registration process, after recognising that the new number is an upgrade licence, first checks your system drive to see if there's already a "qualifying" registration number in the designated sub-folder. If it finds one (which it should if it's never been erased), it doesn't need to ask you to enter the old number, so it just asks for the new number.

But if you install a later upgrade version on a system which didn't previously have a "qualifying" product installed (or was previously erased), in that circumstance you would be asked for both old and new numbers.

3 replies

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 17, 2021

See here for more information on non subscription software: https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/download-non-subscription-adobe-software/td-p/11919842

 

As Lr 5.7 (and Lr 6) are since long end of life, Adobe does not offer support anymore for those old versions. Lr 5.7 and Lr 6 both need their own serial number to run. Lr 6 was also part of the subscription Creative Cloud. So don't install subscription software from Adobe or the subscription handler will take over and at the end of the subscription you need to clean-up the system before getting to a working solution again. 

 

Please note also that older software may not be supported on newer computer hardware and current OS.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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    davidg44737659Author
    Known Participant
    September 17, 2021

    I had LR 6 installed on my Mac Pro and I have signed out of it 

    So the theory is that I can now sign back into LR 6  on a MacBook Air 

    I have the LR 6 installer.

    I have the correct registration. number 

    But it refuses to activate

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    September 17, 2021

    refuses to activate ... what is the exact word-for-word error message?

     

    Obviously, you do not have the correct serial number. Where are you finding your serial number? (explain where you find it, DO NOT SHOW US THE SERIAL NUMBER)

     

    Is the serial number 24 digits in six groups of four digits? Yes or No? (DO NOT SHOW US THE SERIAL NUMBER)

     

    Are you trying to use a LR 5 serial number with LR 6? That never will work.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    September 17, 2021

    New MacAir running Big Sur or Catalina, you can't install LR 5 or LR 6. (Earlier versions of the operating system does allow installation of those software).

     

    If you did install it and then can't get your serial number to work, perhaps you are trying the LR 5 serial number in LR 6, which also won't work. You can only use a LR 6 serial number in LR 6.

      D
      davidg44737659Author
      Known Participant
      September 17, 2021

      Well that's a shame.

      Seems as though it's Bye bye Adobe.
      We've had fun over the years

      I really enjoyed Lightroom and I was a very early adopter.
      When it became a subscription software I went over to Capture One which is a great tool but not as simple and user friendly as LR.

      Wanted to get back to that simple interface for my old age.
      BTW the Mac Book Air I was planning on installing LR on is still running OS 10.3.6 and should have managed quite nicely with the older LR5.7

      Jim Wilde
      Community Expert
      Jim WildeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 17, 2021
      quote
      BTW the Mac Book Air I was planning on installing LR on is still running OS 10.3.6 and should have managed quite nicely with the older LR5.7

       

      Is that 10.3.6 correct, or did you mean 10.13.6? 10.3.6 is about 17 years old!

       

      But if you really mean 10.13.6, then LR5.7 can be installed and run on that software. You can obtain a download of it from here: https://prodesigntools.com/lightroom-5-ddl-comparison-vs-lr4.html

      D
      davidg44737659Author
      Known Participant
      September 17, 2021

      PS - I also seem to have a disk image of  LR 6 installer on my hard drive 
      Just tried to use that on the new MacAir but it only seems to allow the use for 7 days as it doesn't want to recognise my registration details ! 
      Getting a bit annoyed 

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