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January 20, 2017
Answered

Transferring Software

  • January 20, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 6961 views

I just got a new laptop at work.  My old one had Acrobat X on it.  I want to put that on my new computer but I don't have the serial number.  I don't think I ever registered the program so I can't find it under my Adobe ID.  I tried registering it on the old computer but I just get a message saying "could not register product at this time, try again later".  Is there anyway to get the serial number so I can install it on a new computer? 

I also saw things online to deactivate the program so I could reactivate on another machine.  I don't see any deactivate link under the help menu.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ned Murphy
To find the serial number on the old machine, If you are on a Mac navigate to:

    Macintosh HD >> Library >> Application Support >> regid.1986-12.com.adobe

    Inside the folder “regid.1986-12.com.adobe” you will probably find several files ending .swidtag

    For example: regid.1986-12.com.adobe_DesignSuitePremium-CS5-Mac-GM-en_US.swidtag

    Look for the one related to your product and right-click (control-click) on it and choose:

    Open With >> Other

    Then choose TextEdit from the list of applications.

    For registered products the 24 digit serial number is usually found near the bottom of the text document.

    On Windows navigate to:

    C:\ProgramData\regid.1986-12.com.adobe

    Open in Note Pad

3 replies

Ned Murphy
Ned MurphyCorrect answer
Legend
January 21, 2017
To find the serial number on the old machine, If you are on a Mac navigate to:

    Macintosh HD >> Library >> Application Support >> regid.1986-12.com.adobe

    Inside the folder “regid.1986-12.com.adobe” you will probably find several files ending .swidtag

    For example: regid.1986-12.com.adobe_DesignSuitePremium-CS5-Mac-GM-en_US.swidtag

    Look for the one related to your product and right-click (control-click) on it and choose:

    Open With >> Other

    Then choose TextEdit from the list of applications.

    For registered products the 24 digit serial number is usually found near the bottom of the text document.

    On Windows navigate to:

    C:\ProgramData\regid.1986-12.com.adobe

    Open in Note Pad

January 25, 2017

That did work to get the serial number.  I entered that and it says it's invalid.  Now I'm stuck dealing with Adobe's help through chat.  They are not being helpful.  I found the original invoice for the computer with the software listed.  They are saying it was complementary because there is no price next to it and are refusing to help.  There is no prices next to any of the lines, just the one line total for the laptop.  It's been a struggle the last couple of days trying to get help from Adobe.

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2017

if your acrobat came with your computer (eg, dell), you need to use the computer vendor's software.

in the case of dell, Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2017

spdgt wrote:

I also saw things online to deactivate the program so I could reactivate on another machine. I don't see any deactivate link under the help menu.

You can use the chat option here to ask that your activations be reset:

Contact Customer Care

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 21, 2017

if deactivate (=sign out on acrobat) is not clickable, it's already deactivated.

if sign out is clickable, click it to deactivate.

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2017

if it's still installed on your old computer, you can retrieve it:

windows: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

mac:  https://mac-product-key-finder.com/