Installing and running CS5 on another device

[Rae280221797lys]

I have a limited budget so I am using Adobe CS5, which is fine for my needs. I want to purchase a second laptop to use for traveling - an old, small one circa 2015 so no one will want to steal it.

Can I install CS5 from the original installation disks on the 2nd laptop? Will I have a problem activating the license? Will it cause a problem with the license on my primary machine?

[John T Smith]

The Adobe license allows 2 activations as long as you use one at a time

As long as the operating system is compatible you SHOULD be able to install and enter your serial number to activate

There have been some recent discussions of activation problems, so nobody here can say if you will have problems... or not

Put your disc in the drive and you will find out what happens

[Nancy OShea]

Nobody here can predict how much longer CS5 activation will be possible with 11+ year old software.  It might work, it might not.  Adobe no longer supports it so you're on your own.

Much will depend on your operating system and the computer's system specs.  CS software won't install on macOS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave without terminal workarounds. And activation is only possible with TLS 1.2 connections or higher.

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

CS is fully unsupported by macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey or Ventura.

It might install on Win 10 or Win 11 in compatibility mode. But again, you'll have to try it and see what happens.   I wish I had better news for you.  But it is what it is...

In the event you can't install CS, below are a few affordable options.

Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (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).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

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

Premium Adobe Express ($10/month).

• Adobe Express app (web and mobile)
• Premiere Rush (video editing on desktop and mobile)
• Photoshop Express (mobile)
• Spark Video (mobile)
• Spark Page (mobile)
• Adobe Portfolio + hosting
• 100 GB of cloud storage
• All premium templates and design assets including the collection of over 160 million royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection.

https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

Hope that helps.

[kglad]

you'll probably have difficulty but, as of today, the best info is that it is possible to activate cs5.  you'll need your installation file and your serial number and a compatible os.