CS 2 Premium Authorization

[Dan22985019sjnc]

I paid ~$1000 in 2006 for Adobe Creative Suite 2 Premium (perpetual license).  I still have the install disks, serial number, and successfully installed it on a Win10 PC and it works fine (my old computer is long gone and no devices show up in my product account).  However, it says I need an activation code or I only have 30 days to use it. 

I had hoped my kids could learn it, and don't feel like paying $20-60 per month for the modern subscription.  Is there any way to get an Activation code so the product is perpetually licensed, which is what I paid for.

[LinSims · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry, but there isn't. Perpetual licenses really aren't. Over time, hardware and operating system technology have changed so much that old programs often won't run on the new platforms.

In Adobe's case, the equipment that hosted the activation servers for CS1 through CS4 couldn't be maintained anymore, and the activation software can't be run on modern equipment. Those servers have been retired. It is no longer possible to activate CS 1 through 4 nor any of the programs that were included in those suites.

Creative Suites 5, 5.5, and 6 can still be activated if you have the installation files.

Creative Suites 5 through Creative Suites 6 are no longer supported by Adobe employees except for help reducing the number of activations if the limit is reached.

Beware of scammers who may try to contact you directly claiming to have installable versions of a Creative Suite. There is no legal method to buy those programs and you will be out money and possibly infected with ransomware or malware if you buy from them.

Many of these scammers have the word ADOBE as part of their user names, and they also often have an email address of that includes "adobecares" or use the domain outlook.com. If someone does contact you, use the Report button so their accounts can be deactivated.

[Dan22985019sjnc]

Thank you for getting back to me.

I understand and I don't expect any software company to support anything forever. However, I just installed it and it is working just fine. All I need is the authorization code (or override) and it is new again. Someone should be able to disable the 30-day limit on my registered version (I can see it when I log into my Adobe account). It is probably just a matter of entering my UID and a few mouse clicks.

[John Waller]

Not going to happen, I'm afraid. The activation servers to activate the software and remove the 30 day limit no longer exist. The software is dead.

You'll get 30 days and that'll be the end of it.

[LinSims]

The code you're talking about was generated by the activation servers, which no longer exist.

[John T Smith]

There is no way to activate that old program

The CS2-CS3-CS4 activation servers have been removed from service
-https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite.html?promoid=19SCDRQK
-So even if you have a disc or saved download, CS2-CS3-CS4 are completely dead
-Adobe also no longer supplies the special non-activation version of CS2-CS3-CS4