Activate/reactivate CS3? - LOCKED CS3 is a dead product

[talbotw61658069]

I've been trying to reactivate CS3. and am being sent in circles.

Phone activation no longer works.

I've removed old, installed new, changed my serial number as instructed

the new version won't open so I'm sent on the same path.

??? !

[John T Smith]

CS3 and Acrobat 8 activation server is retired see reply #1 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2372929

-you MUST use the special serial number AND the special installer you download, not your originals

-above includes a link to get the special version AND links to help with activation problems

-more information on activation problems with the new version https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2385900

-and https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/temporary-activation-expired.html

[annes93429887]

I don't understand why I need to activate a product I've been using for over 8 years.  Does the "special version" work just as the regular CS3 does?  I cannot use Creative Cloud because I have severe bandwidth restrictions so I need to stick with a downloaded, installed program. 

[Peru Bob]

annes93429887  wrote

Does the "special version" work just as the regular CS3 does? 

Yes.

[John Waller]

annes93429887  wrote

I don't understand why I need to activate a product I've been using for over 8 years. 

Did your existing, activated CS3 deactivate spontaneously or did you reinstall it?

I cannot use Creative Cloud because I have severe bandwidth restrictions so I need to stick with a downloaded, installed program.

This is a widespread misconception about the Adobe Cloud. Plenty of Cloud users have severe bandwidth restrictions but use Cloud apps successfully.

Cloud apps download, install and run locally - just like CS3 does. The "Cloud" part of the Adobe system is for occasional (up to 99 days between checks if you're on an annual plan) license checks and downloading updates.

The background license checks are transparent to the user and take seconds. They don't get in the way of you using the software. Software updates take longer but you can schedule them at your convenience.

[franciemarie]

Did you ever get CS3 activated? I've been all over this site trying to figure whether I can get mine re-activated. What a bummer - one pays for software and is forced to upgrade. I seldom use Dreamweaver, but need to ocassionally. I don't have time and patience to learn a new version!

[John T Smith · Accepted solution]

Since the original message here the special non-activation version has been withdrawn by Adobe

There is now NO way to activate CS3 and earlier programs

[Nancy OShea]

"I don't have time and patience to learn a new version!"

This is 2020, not 2007.  Modern web authoring tools are essential.  Web technologies, browsers & devices keep changing.  Meanwhile, CS3 has stayed exactly the same.  Connect the dots.  If you're using outdated DW, that means whatever you create with it is 13+ years outdated, too.

Brackets and VS Code are modern open source code editors.

http://brackets.io/

https://code.visualstudio.com/

Dreamweaver CC 2020 is by subscription.  Free 7-day trial available.

https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/free-trial-download.html

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[talbotw61658069]

I am on a Mac

[MelissaLA88]

Not sure how new/old your Mac is, but please be aware that the older the software and the newer the machine you're running it on, the more likely you're going to start running into issues. CS3 is pretty outdated by now. If you're on a new mac, or plan on getting a new mac anytime soon, I highly recommend checking out the Adobe CC plans here. Best of luck!