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I would like to request the deactivation of my license for Photoshop CS6

New Here ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

I own Photoshop Extended CS6, which is listed under “My Products” in my Adobe account. 

My PC recently broke, and I had to replace the motherboard. After booting Windows and Photoshop on the new motherboard, the software appears to recognize it as a different computer (which is understandable), and I was prompted to activate the license again.

When I re-entered my serial number, I received a message stating that the license is already in use on two computers and that one of them must be deactivated.

Unfortunately, since the original motherboard is no longer functional, I am unable to deactivate the license from that system. 

Therefore, I would like to ask if it is possible to have the license deactivated on the broken PC. I contacted Adobe chat support, but I was told that they could not assist me because support for CS6 has ended, and that I should post my question here. I would like to confirm whether this is the correct place to make this request. 

Thank you for your time and assistance. 

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Community Expert ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

@yamawoka wrote:

I contacted Adobe chat support, but I was told that they could not assist me because support for CS6 has ended, and that I should post my question here.

@yamawoka 

 

Adobe does not reset activations. If you don't have one available, then you are unfortunately out of luck.

 

Adobe Customer Care should not have sent you here, as the volunteers on this forum cannot even see your records.

 

Jane

 

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New Here ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

Thank you for your comment, Jane. 

quote

Adobe Customer Care should not have sent you here, as the volunteers on this forum cannot even see your records.


I actually had the same understanding, which is why I raised this point multiple times with Adobe chat support. However, I was repeatedly told that this issue could be addressed by posting in this forum.

I also came across the following discussion (which, as far as I can tell, was not resolved either — and I noticed that you commented there as well), so I asked Adobe support again to confirm. Unfortunately, I received the same guidance. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/need-to-deactivate-photoshop-cs6-on-a-lo...

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Community Expert ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

this is the correct spot to post your issue.  it's just misleading to imply your issue can be remedied here.  ie, you can (and did) get the relevant information:

 

again, it's only possible using a computer that has a current activation.  if that's impossible, it's impossible to reset your activation count.

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Community Expert ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

it's only possible using a computer that has a current activation.  if that's impossible, it's impossible to reset your activation count.

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New Here ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

Thank you for your comment, kglad. 

quote

it's only possible using a computer that has a current activation.  if that's impossible, it's impossible to reset your activation count.

 

Photoshop CS6 allows activation on two computers. I had it activated on two PCs. One of them is the PC that recently broke, but the other one is a backup PC that is still running Windows 10 (and should still be able to start).


If I launch CS6 on this backup PC and deactivate the license there, would that free up an activation slot so that I can activate it again on my current system?


So effectively, even if I can continue using CS6 by deactivating it on my backup PC, the activation tied to the broken PC will remain consumed permanently. Is that correct?

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Community Expert ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026

deactivating on a computer that has an activation is risky.  that deactivation has to be conveyed to adobe's servers and that requires updated security software on the deactivating computer:

 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/activation-limit-reached-for-non-subscri...

 

the risky part is deactivating (which will work locally so you no longer have an activated install) and not conveying that to adobe's servers (so you still have no way to activate).  at that point you should be able to restore the activation on that old computer but most users have trouble with this (which i don't understand).

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Community Expert ,
Jan 05, 2026 Jan 05, 2026
LATEST

Sorry for your loss.  It's impossible to deactivate products without access to the device on which it was installed. And remote deactivation only works for subscription-based Creative Cloud products.

 

CS6 REPLACEMENTS:
==============
FREE Acrobat Reader
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html

FREE Online PDF Editor
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-editor.html\

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

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Annual Photography plan.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

FREE or Paid Adobe Express
https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

Creative Cloud Bundles & Single Apps for mobile, web & desktops
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html
Screenshot 2026-01-03 150722.png

 

Hope that helps.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User, Community Expert & Moderator
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