Photoshop CS3 activation issues [LOCKED CS3 is a dead product]

[ctchubb]

I am trying to re-install my copy of PS CS3 and I know the the activation servers are down so I read the discussions and found the answer below:

"CS3 and Acrobat 8 activation server is retired see reply #1 https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2372929

-you MUST use the special serial number AND the special installer you download, not your originals

-above includes a link to get the special version AND links to help with activation problems

-more information on activation problems with the new version https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2385900

Is this the correct answer? The links are dead.

[kglad · Accepted solution]

no, it's not correct, not legal and most likely would be inviting malware onto your computer.

that said, cs3, as well as cs2 and cs4, cannot be activated.

[ctchubb]

That was posted directly from this discussion forum and just because you decide to change to a subscription model doesn't void the physical disks and serial numbers that are connected to my email.  I have rights to this software I paid almost $500 for it.

[kglad]

what was true several years ago may (and in this case is) not true, but you are more than welcome to continue to try to activate your cs3.

[John T Smith]

>just because you decide

This space is provided by Adobe, but this is not Adobe support

Other users here have nothing to do with Adobe policy, and can't help

[ctchubb]

Thank you for the information.

[Retune]

The advice was correct at the time, was perfectly legal, and would not have invited malware onto your system since the special activation-free installer came directly from Adobe! I obtained the relevant version for my edition of CS3 via this officially supported route at the time, and it still works for installation today. Unfortunately, Adobe (without warning) removed the site by which the special installer could be obtained.

You won't get anywhere with asking Adobe Customer Support about this. I don't know what the legality would be of obtaining the activation-free installer you were entitled to via some unofficial route (a new licence key was issued along with the new installer, but I believe everyone who requested the same edition got the same licence key). Your only other option is probably to write a strongly-worded letter to Adobe, requiring them to provide you with access to the software you paid for. I have seen previous posts on these forums (like this) where users claimed to have done this for a product that could no longer be activated, mentioning the possibility of taking legal action if Adobe declined to provide them with access. Adobe then reportedly gave them access to a more recent version that could still be activated. Your mileage may vary.

Using software of this age is not without issues. While CS3 could still be installed on W11 the last time I checked, there may be significant security holes (if you are using an OS contemporary with CS3, you probably have pretty big security issues already!). Old versions of Acrobat can make you particularly vulnerable to malware.

[kglad]

installing cs3 is not a problem with windows.  the problem is it cannot be used byond the 30 day trial because it cannot be activated.