Reinstall CS5 but told I have it on too many PC's.

[Maps Man]

I have tried to load my copy of CS5 but am told I have it on 2 other computers and should unload at least one. However, the orginal PC has long been disposed of and the PC I was using it on this Tuesday became locked after a Windows 11 24H2 update. I could not get into it at all and had to completely reboot W11.  I lost all my programs and have had to reinstall the all. When I tried to open CS5 I was told it was on too many but I cannot get to unload them and Adobe will not help as CS5 is too old yet they "know" about its history on my PC's !!  Can anyone suggest a way around the problem please?

[kglad · Accepted solution]

there's no way around the problem.  you need to deactivate from one of the two computers that had an activation.

because the current computer is the same (unless there was some hardware, not software change), the current computer should not be recognized as a 3rd activation.  but because it is, there's nothing you can do (unless there are a reversible hardware change).

[Nancy OShea]

CS5 from 2010 is way beyond its 'replace me' date and not certified to run on modern computers & operating systems. The tech inside it is too old.

Best option, replace legacy CS5 with supported software.

• FREE Acrobat Reader -- view, comment, print & sign PDF.
  https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html
• Paid Acrobat Pro -- the complete solution for creating and saving PDF.
  https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html
  
  
• Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (3 year license, 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).
    https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html
• Premium Adobe Express ($10/month). Mobile & web-based graphics & video apps for social media content creators.
  https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html
  
  
•  
• Creative Cloud Bundles & Single App Plans for mobile, web & desktops
  https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Hope that helps.