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A
Anonymous
July 12, 2019
Answered

Photoshop Version 10 CS3 won't activate

  • July 12, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 2847 views

I can't activate PS v10 CS3. I have tried the published phone numbers for Adobe and they are invalid and it won't activate on line. I contacted their support who can't do it so they refered me to Forums. I have the correct serial number. When I used the link they gave me http://trials.adobe.com/AdobeProducts/legacy/99CABBAC-C975-4A06-8D99-064C6871EE80/PSE/10/win32/PhotoshopElements_10_LS15…     I got the message "The file archive part of Adobe PS Elements 10 is missing. You need all parts in the same folder in order to extract Adobe PhotoshopElements 10. Please download all parts." Please help.

      Correct answer

      Hi

      Slightly confused, you mention Photoshop CS3 but the link they provided is for Photoshop Elements, anyway activation servers for CS3 have been shutdown, you will need to follow the instructions here

      Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

      4 replies

      V
      Vasanth_I1861
      Participant
      March 7, 2025

      authorization code

       

      Ged_Traynor
      Community Expert
      Ged_TraynorCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 7, 2025

      @Vasanth_I1861 there is no authorization code, CS2, CS3 and CS4 activation servers have been shutdown

      A
      Anonymous
      July 12, 2019

      Thanks, I followed instructions and it seems to have worked OK, just hope it was OK to click "never activate" as "activate now" had same failure result as before. Once again thank you very much.

      mikehoopes
      mikehoopes
      Participant
      June 3, 2020

      I purchased a *perpetual* license of Adobe CS3 Design Premium back when it was the latest version. I tried to re-install it on my new PC this week, and the activation servers have been taken down. I understand that there was a download of offline-activated versions of the software available on Adobe's site, but that link no longer goes anywhere; they took it down.

       

      https://web.archive.org/web/20190401002548/https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/activation-fails-cs3-acrobat-8.html

       

      This is what was offered, as late as April 1, 2019. No longer:

      What are my options?

      Provide your current CS3 or Acrobat 8 serial number for either of these options:

      • Upgrade to the latest and greatest! Take advantage of this special offer to upgrade to Creative Cloud (CS3 owners) or Acrobat DC (Acrobat 8 owners). Get the world’s best creative tools or PDF solution – including mobile applications, cloud-based storage, and free updates – at an amazingly low price. 
      • Receive a new serial number and installer  Get a new serial number and installer so you can reinstall CS3 or Acrobat 8 applications successfully. These special versions do not require activation.
       

       

      So, perpetual isn't perpetual, apparently. Chat support told me I have no recourse. I guess I was one year too late getting those files.

      Any hints, people, on how to get Adobe to honor the license agreement that came with my purchase? I see nothing in https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/en/legal/licenses-terms/pdf/CS3.pdf that abridges my right to re-install and use this software in perpetuity.

       

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      June 4, 2020
      Warning, people impersonating Adobe will contact you privately and offer to sort this out. This is a scam.
      A
      Anonymous
      Correct answer
      July 12, 2019

      Hi

      Slightly confused, you mention Photoshop CS3 but the link they provided is for Photoshop Elements, anyway activation servers for CS3 have been shutdown, you will need to follow the instructions here

      Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

      gener7
      Community Expert
      gener7Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 12, 2019

      You have Photoshop CS3 aka v 10, not Photoshop Elements 10. Please see this article:

      Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

      Basically the CS3 activation servers for CS3 have been closed. You use your old CS3  serial number to get a new serial number and new installer where you will not need activation anymore. It's free of charge.

      A
      Anonymous
      July 12, 2019

      Knew I should have hit the refresh button before posting

      gener7
      Community Expert
      gener7Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 12, 2019

      Happens to me a lot after typing up a long reply and forgetting to do that.

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