CC License on Mac and PC at same site

Report · Oct 18, 2023

We have two users on site that have been using Macs for years who are going to be switching to PC as they need access to PC software regardless and the majority of the other software is now cross platform. This prevents the problems associated with using Parallels on modern Macs. Some historic documents and fonts may only be usable on the Mac so they may on occasion need to do edits on the Mac but will be using the PC as their primary machine. Both Mac and PC will be on the same desk at the same site.

Creative Cloud can be installed on two computers if only one person is accessing it.

I want to clarify if this is within the guidelines as Adobe seem to be forensically checking how businesses use licenses. Despite having as many licenses as users and each user being the only person using the computers that they are associated with Adobe have twice contacted us implying that we have more people using accounts than are allowed.

If Adobe sees the same account installed on two computers from the same site how would you prove its only one person using it? I dont know why Adobe even allow two sign ins if they going to such extreme lengths to police it.

Report · Oct 18, 2023

you can install the cc desktop app from here https://creative.adobe.com/products/creative-cloud on as many (mac and/or win) computers as you own and use it to install all (or some, if you want) of your cc subscription programs.

the only (insignificant for internet connected computers) limitation is that you can sign-in (and therefore start your adobe programs) on, at most, two computers without signing-out. because you can sign out from either (or both) signed-in computers using a 3rd computer, this could not (imo) be easier. https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-apps-number-of-computers.html

Report · Oct 18, 2023

I know you can sign into to two computers and if you need to use a different computer you will be forced to sign out one of the others so you still only have it installed on on two computers but Adobe seem to be policing this in more detail.

I dont know if its two sign ins at the same site to them imply that two different people are using the software at the same time. Its like Adobe say you can install it on two computers but then are suspcious if you actually do this at the same location/IP. We have had Macs reused by different staff members as people leave the company and in a couple cases it was easier just keep the computer account the same name but give them a Creative Cloud in their own name. This seems to be a red flag to Adobe.

We did reduce the number of licenses that we have last year due to staff leaving and to begin with I just left their accounts on the admin panel. They no longer had Creative Cloud assigned to them they were still listed. After Adobe contacted us about this the first time I cleared out all the accounts that didnt have an active cloud license to hopefully clear things up but now they have contacted us again. I have wasted hours of my day checking installs and responding to Adobe.

Report · Oct 18, 2023

your first sentence is incorrect. again, cc can be installed on an unlimited number of computers. signing in (not installing) for any one user is limited to two computers at any one time.

if, on the other hand, you have one computer (or a group of computers) that are used by numerous people, adobe may prefer you to use an enterprise license which can include licenses for computers used my many users (eg, a school's computer lab).