Can't activate Acrobat Pro v17

[kind_focus9818]

Dear support staff,

I have tried to reach Adobe via phone but there is no chance to get in contact with a real person. I'm still waiting since 15 minutes of phone call.

As mentioned above I can't activate my Acrobat Pro v17 license although there are no activated devices listed in my account. There was an incident that my former Lenovo Notebook completely crashed so that I was not able to deactivate this device the proper way. But after deleting all devices in my account I still can't activate Acrobat Pro v17.

Is there a way to release my license on your license servers again? I have bought this license in 2019 and it should still be working, as you still provide the desktop application as a download package.

Thank you!

[kglad]

support can no longer reset your activation count.  is that the problem you're seeing, an excess activation count message?

[kind_focus9818]

Yes, it says that the number of devices is exceeded although I have deleted all devices in my Adobe account.

[kglad]

you must "deactivate" using a computer that has an activation (before uninstalling).  

in the past, there were several ways including asking adobe support to reset your activation count, but that no longer works.

use the computers (if they exist, still run AND can communicate with adobe's deactivation server) with the activations and open an app > click help > deactivate. if you've already uninstalled the app before deactivating, but still have an operable computer, you can reinstall on that computer and then deactivate.

the big catch is can those computers communicate the deactivation with adobe's servers.

[Peru Bob]

there are no activated devices listed in my account.

By @kind_focus9818

That refers to Creative Cloud apps, not serial number apps like Acrobat Pro 17.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Markus, please follow the suggestions offered by Kglad and listed at https://adobe.ly/444J3eG to deactivate any previous installations of Acrobat. Please see https://adobe.ly/48yH1oI for information on the requirements that will be necessary for the computer that is completing the deactivation request and the new computer that will be activated. If the previous computer is not up to date enough to contact our servers, then the deactivation request will not be received. ^JW

[kind_focus9818]

Unfortunately, this is the only thing that I am not able to do any more. My Lenovo laptop was completely broken and even the Lenovo support did not manage to repair that device again. There was no chance to deactivate that device and I am not able to figure out the former machine ID as the laptop was sent back to Lenovo.

It seems like there is no possibility to use that great program anymore ...

[kglad]

"It seems like there is no possibility to use that great program anymore ..."

correct

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

I am sorry, Markus, but if you have exceeded the amount of allowable activations and are unable to reclaim one of the previous activations by deactivating, then you will need to find a new solution for your PDF viewing needs in 2025. You may want to start with the free version of Acrobat to see if you are using any of the paid features. You can find out more at https://adobe.ly/3MgFJaf. ^JW

[kind_focus9818]

To be honest, it would be quite easy for a big tech company like Adobe to implement a centralized activation/deactivation tool for former products. This is nothing special that was invented by Adobe in 2022 and later.

There is more truth in it that Adobe is not willing to do this and they force customers that own legally purchased life time licenses to not use them any more. I can imagine that is only partially legal.

Don't try to white wash your west, stay honest and just say that Adobe is not willing to support these products any more. 

[kglad]

nothing centralized is easy for adobe.

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

Acrobat 17 reached End of Life in 2022. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/end-of-support-acrobat-2017-reader-2017.html

To ensure stability & security on newer devices, it's highly recommended that you switch to a supported product.

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\

Acrobat (Standard, Pro or Studio)
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

Hope that helps.