How to identify my license type with a serial number

[dazzling_knowledge4860]

Hello everyone,

I have an Adobe Acrobat installation with a valid serial number, but I’m not sure what type of license it corresponds to (perpetual, subscription, retail, volume, etc.).

Could someone please let me know how I can verify the license type using the serial number, or what procedure Adobe recommends to confirm this information?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[John T Smith]

A serial number is not a subscription

Since this is a public forum, not Adobe support, beware of anyone who sends you a private message and asks for your serial number

Log in to your Adobe account and click this link https://account.adobe.com/products

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Sorry for the dupe reply @John T Smith. It wasn't there when I started typing...

[dazzling_knowledge4860]

Jhon,

Thank you very much for your recommendation. I’m aware that this forum is not Adobe’s official support channel and that sensitive license information should not be shared here.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

A serial number should be a perpetual. You can log in with your Adobe ID and register your software at:

https://account.adobe.com/products

You can also check any subscriptions you might have when you sign in with your Adobe ID.

[dazzling_knowledge4860]

Hi Dave,

Thank you very much for your prompt response.

I’d like to clarify a detail I forgot to mention earlier: the serial number I have belongs to an Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 license, which is not linked to any account.

It was purchased quite some time ago and, unfortunately, I no longer have any record of the license details. I have tried reaching out to Adobe directly, but I couldn’t find any email address where I could submit my inquiry.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[kglad]

adobe doesn't support older versions.

if you need the installation file, you may be lucky and be able to use https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/acrobat-2017-downloads.html

[dazzling_knowledge4860]

kglad,

Thank you very much for your response.

The serial number is correct and valid. This is not an installation issue, and the license is not tied to a specific installer. When I use the official Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 installer from Adobe’s website and enter the license, the program works without any problems.

What I need to confirm is how many computers the license supports simultaneously, or for how many computers it was originally intended.

Thank you for your help.

[kglad · Accepted solution]

usually the answer is two activations are allowed.  but there's really no limit to how many times you can install and activate, as long as you deactivate anything that would create an excess activation count.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Unfortunately, the activation servers for 2015 and 2017 have been retired. The 2020 version will be supported for about two more months. 

Acrobat Pro 2024 now has a 3-year license for $324 US. 

Acrobat Pro subscription is $19.99 US per month. 

Here is a comparison between 2024 and a subscription:

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html#compare-adobe-acrobat-pro-and-adobe-acro...

[kglad]

@Dave Creamer of IDEAS 

do you have an adobe reference?

this is the what i see from adobe:

Our aging activation servers for earlier versions of Acrobat and Creative Suite (CS) applications had to be retired. You won't be able to activate these apps, as these activation servers are no longer available.

Affected applications include Creative Suite 2, 3, and 4, Audition 3, Acrobat 7, 8, and 9 (Standard and Professional), Acrobat X, Acrobat XI, and Acrobat 3D Version 8. Read more about Adobe's Products and technical support periods.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Why no, I just make stuff up...😁

Scroll down about halfway:

http://helpx.adobe.com/support/programs/adobe-support-policies-supported-product-versions.html

Another link:

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

[kglad]

@Dave Creamer of IDEAS 

an app losing support isn't the same as activation/deactivation servers being retired.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Generally, once a product get to EOL, support can't help with any deactivaton or activation issues. Let me know how that works out for you.

[kglad]

adobe supports nothing older than the current and one major earlier version.  but again, that's unrelated to activation and deactivation issues.

[kglad]

BUT BEWARE.  it's no longer easy to deactivate.

this is probably the best reference, https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/how-to-activate-your-adobe-software/td-p...

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from account, payment & plan">

[dazzling_knowledge4860]

Many thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond and help me with this matter! I truly appreciate your support and guidance.

Best regards,

[kglad]

@dazzling_knowledge4860 

have you been able to do what you want?