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DarrenGold
Participating Frequently
December 18, 2025
Answered

Cannot launch my version of CS5 Production Premium because, supposedly, there are two installations

  • December 18, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 318 views

Hi

In the last few days my versions of Photoshop and Illustrator (which are part of the CS5 Production Premuim Suite) have stopped working. A pop-up window informs me that my serial number has already been activated on two computers. But, I only have one PC... I have no idea how there could be a second installation/activation. 

How do I deactivate the second installation?

Cheers,

Darren.

Correct answer DarrenGold

They won't do anything.  The changed their reactivation reset policy in June 2024.   

You literally can stop trying.   Subscribe to Photoshop- $15 a month and you tons of stuff, like new technology.

CS5 was released over 15 years ago- time  to step into the modern age.


I found a solution (one I'd posted myself earlier this year that I'd completely forgotten about).

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/activation-issues-with-old-creative-suite-cs5/m-p/15159542#M853951


1 reply

A
Community Expert
AxelMattCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 18, 2025
quote

... But, I only have one PC... I have no idea how there could be a second installation/activation. 

 

Darren.


By @DarrenGold

 

Perhaps you've reinstalled CS5 somtimes in the past with out deactivating before. 

 

quote

... How do I deactivate the second installation?

 

By @DarrenGold

 

Sorry, but don't I see a chance to deactivate the registration counter. If you have reached your activation limit and you don't have any chance to deactivate an older installation you're out of luck. Adobe has stopped the support of older CS products and the resetting of the actiovation counter isn't possible anymore.

 

quote

In the last few days my versions of Photoshop and Illustrator (which are part of the CS5 Production Premuim Suite) have stopped working. A pop-up window informs me that my serial number has already been activated on two computers. ...
Darren.


By @DarrenGold

 

It's strange that this could have just happened like that. What has been changed on your system before the error occur?

 

My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 25H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 9 - PureRAW 6 - Topaz Photo AI
D
DarrenGoldAuthor
Participating Frequently
December 19, 2025

Hi Axel,

Thanks for responding. I've only ever had the suite installed on one computer. As for being out of luck... that sucks.

The only thing that changed on my system recently is I subscribed to/installed InDesign. I don't know if this caused that window to appear, but it did happen as soon as I'd done it.

Obviously my CS5 production suite is communicating with Adobe's servers... so I don't understand why they can't sort this problem at their end.


Glenn 8675309
Glenn 8675309
Legend
December 19, 2025

They won't do anything.  The changed their reactivation reset policy in June 2024.   

You literally can stop trying.   Subscribe to Photoshop- $15 a month and you tons of stuff, like new technology.

CS5 was released over 15 years ago- time  to step into the modern age.

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