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anttim62180250
Participant
September 15, 2025
Answered

Adobe master collection CS5.5 and CS6.0 activation count full

  • September 15, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 1170 views

Hello,

I own a genuine license for Adobe CS5.5 Master Collection and CS6.0 master collection. I am trying to activate the software on a new computer, but I receive the error message “Activation limit reached”. The issue is that I can no longer access the old computers in order to deactivate the software.

Could you please reset the activation count for my license so I can use the software on my new computer?

Correct answer Nancy OShea

​@Onegiranum,

16-year-old CS5 was built to run on Win XP\Vista\Win7. 

Do you still have access to those legacy computer systems? Most likely, not. 

 

Old software hasn’t changed since you purchased it. Adobe didn’t do anything to your software or your computers. If deactivation failed it’s because your new system can’t communicate with Adobe’s deactivation servers. 

 

See if this helps.

 

If you want support from Adobe, you’ll need to get a supported product that’s compatible with Win11.

Photography Plan 

Creative Cloud Pro

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

 

Hope that helps. 

 

4 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 10, 2026

​@Onegiranum,

16-year-old CS5 was built to run on Win XP\Vista\Win7. 

Do you still have access to those legacy computer systems? Most likely, not. 

 

Old software hasn’t changed since you purchased it. Adobe didn’t do anything to your software or your computers. If deactivation failed it’s because your new system can’t communicate with Adobe’s deactivation servers. 

 

See if this helps.

 

If you want support from Adobe, you’ll need to get a supported product that’s compatible with Win11.

Photography Plan 

Creative Cloud Pro

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

 

Hope that helps. 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Onegiranum
    Onegiranum
    Participant
    April 23, 2026

    I have several versions of Adobe Master collection that I purchased.  I have been using CS5. 5 and it works just fine.  I want to switch the activation to a new computer and I deactivated the program on one computer, as I have it activated on two according to the rules of Adobe.  I tried to reactivate and I can't use the program at all after deactivating as ADOBE tells you to do..   I have paid thousands of dollars to Adobe and am not very happy with this condition.  Any help you can give would be very appreciated.

     

    I understand that the programs are old, however they work fine on windows 10 and 11 and they are all I need.  As far as I am concerned this is unfair for not allowing me to re-activate after de-activating on a computer, which I have never done before.

    Most sincerely,

    Gene Munari

    [Personal info removed by moderator]

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 24, 2026

      ​@Onegiranum The activation process has changed to improve security. See the link below on how to activate legacy apps.

      https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/download-install/apps/troubleshoot/licensing-activation-issues/cant-activate-reinstall-legacy-apps.html

       

      Dave

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 1, 2025

      The activation servers haven't been shut down, but if the two-activation limit is reached, one of them has to be deactivated, and that can only be done from within the application (Help > Deactivate).

       

      Adobe have changed their policies, since 2014. CC applications can be remotely deactivated from your web browser. 

       

      Up until recently, they would give you a new activation if you called them and explained why, such as hard drive fail. They stopped doing that about a year ago.

      A
      anttim62180250Author
      Participant
      October 1, 2025

      😞 😞 😞

      I paid alot money from this back in the days. Very annoying.

        creative explorer
        Community Expert
        creative explorerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 15, 2025

        @anttim62180250 on your new computer? It is highly probable that you will encounter compatibility problems, crashes, or features that simply don't work correctly on the new operating system with compatibility issues with Windows 11. CS5.5 came out in 2011 and CS6 in 2012. Adobe officially ended general support for both of these suites several years ago, as they shifted their business model to the subscription-based Creative Cloud.

        You will need to have serial numbers and Adobe ID. But, be advised, many users have reported that Adobe Support is no longer able to or willing to reset the activation counts for these very old, unsupported products. Instead, you may be told that the activation servers have been shut down and that the only option is to upgrade to a Creative Cloud subscription. While this isn't a universally confirmed policy change and may depend on the support agent you get, it's a possibility you should be aware of and not get your hopes up. 

        Because I am not an customer support, and this forum is sometimes read by Adobe Employees, and sometimes not, be patient and good luck

        m
          A
          anttim62180250Author
          Participant
          September 15, 2025

          Thanks for reply. I really hope they make somekind solution. Sad policy 😞

           

          Windows 11. CS5.5 came out in 2011 and CS6 in 2012. --> yeah the software works just fine on win 11 & win 10.

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