Exit
  • Global community
    • Language:
      • Deutsch
      • English
      • Español
      • Français
      • Português
  • 日本語コミュニティ
  • 한국 커뮤니티
0

Adobe Acrobat Version 20 Reset License count

Community Beginner ,
Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

Hi everyone,
I purchased Adobe Acrobat Pro (version 2020) back in 2021 with a license for three devices. I installed it on three laptops, but two of those machines are no longer in service. When I attempted to install the software on new laptops, I received an error stating that I had exceeded my license limit.
I contacted Adobe Support to explain the situation and requested a reset of my license count. Unfortunately, the support representative informed me that they couldn’t reset the licenses and insisted I purchase a new subscription. I find it quite surprising—and frankly disappointing—that a company like Adobe doesn’t offer a way to reassign licenses from decommissioned devices.
After spending over an hour on the phone, I’m still stuck: I own valid licenses, but I can’t use them.
Has anyone else encountered this issue? If so, how did you resolve it or escalate it to someone at Adobe who could actually help? I’d appreciate any guidance. So far, my experience with Adobe’s support team has been very frustrating.
Thanks in advance.

265
Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines

correct answers 1 Correct answer

Community Expert , Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

the only way to deactivate is to use a computer that has an activation.  if that's impossible, it's impossible to deactivate.

Translate
Community Expert ,
Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

the only way to deactivate is to use a computer that has an activation.  if that's impossible, it's impossible to deactivate.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

Thanks for the reply, my problem is those 3 laptops are not in services, two of the SSD crashed and I had to reinstall Windows 10 Pro. 

This cant be the only solution from software giant like Adobe. 

Thanks

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

it is, though.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Sep 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

As kglad  has said, you are unfortunately out of luck.

This has been discussed in many threads on this forum, and Adobe is firm on its policy.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

Thanks Bob, This is eye opening and mind blowing that they dont have the solution and I lost around $500 for my licenses. This is how company like Adobe becomes more richer (by scamming people like us) and we become keyboard warrior 🙂

Cheers guys and thanks for your quick responses.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

you're welcome, and good luck!

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

MODERN OPTIONS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader 
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

 

FREE Online PDF Editor

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-editor.html\

 

Paid Acrobat (Standard, Pro or Studio) 

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

 

Hope that helps.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator
Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Adobe Employee ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

Ashok, I am sorry, but Kglad and Nancy are correct. The only way to manage any remaining activations is to deactivate them on the previously activated computer. You can find more information on how to manage any remaining activations for Acrobat at https://adobe.ly/46b8n4i. ^JW

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Beginner ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

Thank you for your response. As I mentioned earlier, both of the original SSDs are completely fried and have already been replaced with new ones. Because of this, I had no way to sign out or uninstall Adobe from those two laptops beforehand.
What’s truly frustrating is that Adobe continues to suggest purchasing additional licenses as the only solution, rather than offering meaningful support. This feels less like customer care and more like an attempt to gouge users for more money. It’s disappointing that Adobe tracks the number of active instances but provides no way for users to reset or manage them—especially in today’s technologically advanced world.
To make matters worse, when I log into my account, I can see the license for Adobe Acrobat 20 along with the license key, but there’s no information about how many instances are currently active or any option to remotely sign out. The lack of transparency and control is baffling.
Frankly, I expected better from a company of Adobe’s stature.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines
Community Expert ,
Sep 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025
LATEST

there's nothing that can be done to help here.

Translate
Report
Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
community guidelines