CS6 Master Collection disabled because I cancelled trial of CC

[JennSTX]

I paid a fortune for CS6 Master Collection and wanted just to try out CC.   I hate CC with a passion and just want to use the programs I had but now I can't.  I have disabled every Adobe updater, went through the forums to what worthless help I found (i.e. change host file entries (there are none to change), run the CC cleaner, etc.)  but I can't get the Adobe CC Manager to stop launching and denying me all my products.

I'm running Windows 10 and it's the entire CS6 Master Collection.  I feel like I'm being blackmailed - I'm really furious.   I wish I never even attempting to try cloud for all the headaches and now work issues this is costing me.

Does anyone know how to fix this?  I dont have a rollback in backups or I would just restore my computer before I put on this CC Virus (that is what it now feels like) on my computer.

[John T Smith]

Read Cloud takes over https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2089127 for some ideas (see reply #1)

-includes information on how to stop the update manager and/or Cloud from running at Windows startup

[JennSTX]

Thank you but this doesn't help me.  I have had CS6 Master Collection since it came out - and went through a hurricane and lost a lot of stuff.  Including CD's, paperwork, etc.  I might have it in some rotting box somewhere but it was probably thrown out.

How do you reinstall something you've had for years you paid 1000's for because this virus of a program wants you to pay $50 to access programs you already had?   Is there any other work around?   I couldn't find it in that thread - if I've missed something then let me know.

[John T Smith]

Lost information - see reply #1 in https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2008767

- page has links to programs to find an installed serial number in Mac or Windows

- includes link to your Adobe account to check for registered serial numbers

- when you find your serial number(s) write them down and put in a desk drawer

kglad links in reply #1 here https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2478335 to download program installers

[JennSTX]

Thank you.  I spent over an hour with Adobe yesterday and this is also what they sent me since I do client-based work and literally have had 50+ emails in the last 10 years, so there is no telling which one I used at the time.  They tried pulling up over 10 of the ones I can recall but I typically dislike having to create accounts when installing programs because of spam, but don't mind using temp emails for them.   This was the last conversation I had.  I was elevated through 3 tech people.  I'm still unable to resolve and can't seem to find the serial numbers.   I'm sickened and am looking at hacks to try and unlock what I had.  While I appreciate companies wanting to preserve their product and prevent theft.  This is more than excessive in my opinion.

Mohit: Jennifer, I would love to help you but as I have checked your Account CS 6 is not registered so I would need a possible Email address which you must have used to register the CS 6.

Mohit: Without the serial number you will not be able to install the CS 6.

ME: I have given over 10 possible emails. I work with so many clients it could by anyone of them. Why do you need this? Are you saying that this CC program ruined my computer and all my paid for products so that I can't use them?

Mohit: Just to be confirm were you using the CS 6 from the CC desktop app or have you purchased CS 6?+

ME: Why do I need to install CS6?????? I was using it yesterday

ME: I bought CS6 Master Collection years ago when it was first released. I only used CC probably 3 times and it was horrible.

Mohit: As you are saying you are getting error in using CS 6 so to resolve that error the only solution is to reinstall it.

ME: Now suddenly I am being told I have to pay money to use the program I've been using for years.

ME OK. Thank you. At least you are honest. Because I have no idea where the CD's are, I lost all my boxes in Hurricane Harvey and now I'm out a humongous sum of money and can no longer work - all because ADOBE doesn't explain that CC will render CS6 useless and that you must have all your original installation desks to all adobe products

Mohit: Jennifer, I do understand the issue you are facing here so only best thing we can do here is I can share some step by which you can try to locate the serial number.

Mohit: So first may I know which operating system are you using?

ME: Win10

Mohit: So I am sharing some steps but I cannot assure you that you will surely be able to locate the serial number.

Mohit: But yes we can try.

Mohit: So here are the steps and paths:

Mohit: Windows :

Mohit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\11.0\Registration\SERIAL (64-bit)

Mohit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\11.0\Registration\SERIAL (32-bit)

Mohit: Note: If you see multiple folders under Adobe Acrobat, replace 11.0 in the path above to whatever version of Creative suit you have.

Mohit:

Mohit: Your other option is to grab the cache.db file from C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD\cache and open it with any free SQLite database viewing tool.

Mohit: Please know that this serial number is encrypted, meaning that what you find in the registry key or the database file is not the literal serial number you can enter to install Creative suit. You'll first have to decrypt the serial number.

Mohit: You can also try navigate to:

Mohit:   C:\ProgramData\regid.1986-12.com.adobe

Mohit:   Open in Note Pad

Mohit:

Mohit: So these were the steps you can try and if you will be able to locate then here is the download link so just download the product and first of all remove the whole apps and then install it fresh.

Mohit: https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/cs6-product-downloads.html

Mohit: I hope your issue will get resolved by using these steps and paths.

ME: Ok thank you. I will try all of these first.

[John T Smith]

>While I appreciate companies wanting to preserve their product and prevent theft.  This is more than excessive in my opinion.

Sorry, but I don't agree

When YOU change your email address and don't keep good records of what you did to register your serial number, that is not Adobe's fault

[JennSTX]

I disagree strongly that they should not warn customers about this.  I'm not the only person whose lost everything due to flood / hurricane and have no way to get it back that will have this issue.  Judging but the MANY threads I've found on this - this affects a lot of people.

They need a stronger warning to people that unless they have all of their original packaging, etc. that their products will become useless if they don't pay the $50 fee if they download a trial and that even some who do have this find their products having issues.

[rayek.elfin]

I do whole-heartedly agree that Adobe should display a warning to users who install CC when an existing perpetual license of the CS6 Suite is already installed. Not doing so reeks, and it is a foul smell indeed.

Having said this, Adobe cannot be made responsible for lost serial numbers, boxes, etc. due to accidents, disorganization on the part of the user, theft, or (in your case) natural disasters. That is what insurance is for. If my computer is lost in a flood, I can't ask the manufacturer to replace it for free: that makes no sense at all. I should have insured it against such a mishap, and it is my responsibility to take if I didn't.

It is an unfortunate combo of events: I do think it was (and is) Adobe's (moral?) responsibility to warn CS6 users (pop-up warning dialog would suffice when it detects CS6) before installing CC that it will replace the perpetual version with a rental version (I would guess it is stated somewhere in the documentation - it should be). But Adobe cannot be responsible for you losing your CS6 installation media and license key(s) due to a flood.

So I feel for you, and the bad luck. I hope Adobe's support will find a solution.

[JennSTX]

I broke down after trying everything since this happened and taking it the shop and finally decided to give them the monthly fee and now I can access most of CS6 I already had installed and it opens up.  CC changes all the registries with each program so that you will no longer truly be able to be 'off the grid' - they will get your information and your credit card no matter what. 

Welcome to our new scary Big Brother world of big cloud data where 'everyone knows your name'.

Today my challenge will be to uninstall the CC desktop app so that I can just pay to run the programs and not have it slow down my computer.

[rayek.elfin]

If the monthly rent bothers you, an alternate solution is to leave the Adobe ecosystem behind, and look for alternatives. But it depends on your personal (work) situation whether that is possible.

ps my personal thoughts about CC replacing the perpetual CS6 license are that Adobe either does it on purpose to sort-of "motivate" CS6 users to switch to CC, or that they mucked up the installation by accident while developing CC and left it in (for the same reason). It is not in their interest to help CS6 users, unfortunately.