CS5 moving to new computer issue

[zachariah_3204]

I know CS5 is no longer supported, but having an issue helping a client. 5-8 years they got a new laptop and desktop and I was able to move their CS5 over by deactiving on both old computers and then installing on the new using the original CD and serial number. They just got a new laptop and desktop again but now that same process is not working. On the old laptop, I was able to click Deactivate and it went through and deactivated. If I try to open it again, it asks for a serial key. On the new laptop, I was able to install CS5 fine. I entered the serial key and got green check and all seemed good. But when closing and then running it again, I'm now getting a message that its still activated on two computers, even though I did deactivate on the old laptop. Reading through some forum posts and reddit, I see mixed signals if what I'm trying to do is still viable or are we now past the point of no return in trying to still be able to move CS5 to a new computer.

[kglad]

the old computer needed an updated secure os and default browser (and if win, int exp)

[zachariah_3204]

The old lapotp was running Windows 10 when I deactivated its CS5.

[zachariah_3204]

To add, I was able to log into the client's Adobe account. Her CS5 was listed as registered. When I sent to her Activated devices page, I saw two, so I removed one of them. Uninstalled CS5 and installed again, using the download link on her account page. Same thing, it gave green check on the serial key. But when open up PS, still says its already activated on two devices.

[kglad]

you can no longer deactivate from the user's account page.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Zachariah, as Kglad has mentioned we have modified the activation process for older applications to increase the current security of Adobe's infrastructure and services. Please see https://adobe.ly/4hHGFz2 where I have discussed the process of managing and maintaining activations for Creative Suite 5 in 2025. ^JW

[zachariah_3204]

So if I read it right, in order to deactivate properly, I needed to make sure the old laptop had all its Win10 updates installed and make sure IE11 was set to default (at least for Photoshop)? If I already did the deactivation on the old laptop, is there still a way to make it work? Would running the updates, makeing IE11 default make the deactivation complete or do I need to somehow reinitiate the deactivation? Or do I need to enter the serial again on the old laptop?

[kglad]

@zachariah_3204 

using your old laptop you can try to reactivate your cs5.  if that's successful, you can then try to update the things on that laptop that need updating and retry deactivating that laptop's cs5.

[Nancy OShea]

I won't waste your time sugar-coating this. The aging CS5 activation servers are not fully functional anymore. CS5 is 15 years old and way beyond its "replace me" date.  Even if you get this installed and activated, there's no assurance that a legacy product will work well on Win 11.  They're just too far apart.

Your client should budget for modern replacements that are compatible with their new computer. In the long run, it will be a much better user-experience.

MODERN OPTIONS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

Paid Acrobat Pro -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:
- Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
- Camera Raw
- Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
- Lightroom Classic
- Portfolio website + hosting
- Adobe Express (free starter plan)
- Bridge
- 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud Bundles & Single App Plans for mobile, web & desktops
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Hope that helps.

[kglad]

@Nancy OShea 

cs5 servers are fully functional.

[Nancy OShea]

In theory, perhaps. But in practice, not so much.

When users' can't deactivate prior installations, that tells me the servers are NOT fully functional.  Nor do I expect them to be after 15 years of service.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

They are functional, Zachariah, but due to updated security infrastructure, it is almost impossible to contact them on a computer running older operating systems. Please bookmark and review https://adobe.ly/4hi6OV8 for more information. ^JW

[zachariah_3204]

The other question I also have in that artical it talks about IE11. A fully updated Win10 won't have IE anymore. Will having Edge set as default with IE compatibliy mode enabled work? Or do I need to try one of the work arounds to actually get IE working on its own and then try again to deactivate?

[kglad]

re: @zachariah_3204's last post

@Jeffrey_A_Wright  ?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Zachariah and Kglad, I have covered this under the section titled, "What is required to successfully deactivate my Adobe desktop software?" in https://adobe.ly/4hwRFPV.  

If you are still running Windows 10, then verify that all released updates have been applied. The complete details of what is required can be found at https://adobe.ly/4hvY4uU including Internet Explorer browser settings.  ^JW

[kglad]

In theory, perhaps. But in practice, not so much.

When users' can't deactivate prior installations, that tells me the servers are NOT fully functional.  Nor do I expect them to be after 15 years of service.

By @Nancy OShea

that's incorrect.  there are security requirements that need to be met to communicate with both activation and deactivation servers.  that's what causes the most recent problems, not server issues.

[Nancy OShea]

Catch 22

1. You can't install on a new device until you first deactivate CS from another device on which it was installed.

2. But old computers can't communicate with Adobe's servers, for [insert reason here...]

3. Or the old device is no longer accessible for [insert reason here...]

See item 1.

Dog chasing its own tail

[kglad]

not exactly, but i know you have your opinions.

[HelenWLee]

CS5 works perfectly well on Windows 11, it´s more stable than latest Animate CC. Don´t spread nonsense.