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Upgrade Adobe to CS5 without an olderVersion

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
January 3, 2019
4 replies
2097 views

Hello, I have a Adobe PS CS5 upgrade CD set with it's own product keys. I had a CS3 version in my old Mac but couldn't update it to CS5 because my Mac didn't meet the expectations.

Now on my new Mac I don't have any Photoshop so my question:

How do I find out my CS3 product key on my old pc without knowing any informations like my Adobe ID etc.

And:

Is it possible to install CS5 upgrade by its own? Or can I download CS3 without a product key and use the cs5 upgrade key?

If anyone has any options for me it would be most appreciated!!

Thanks in advance

Seb

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer John T Smith

If you buy CS3 from an individual, I do NOT know if the serial number you buy will work to install your CS5 upgrade version... so you may be spending money for nothing

Also, you mention new Mac and CS5... which may not install or work

CS6 and earlier programs HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED for Mac El Capitan or newer operating systems

-which means that you try to use CS6 and earlier at YOUR risk of having problems due to Apple updates

-this is about the 4+ year old CS6, but it will probably apply to other programs of that age

-Apple did not maintain backward compatibility with old programs in El Capitan or newer operating systems

--Adobe has a workaround to Apple's problem of not maintaining backward compatibility

--READ HERE https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2301916 for an Adobe solution to installing old programs, including a link to installing the old Java runtime that is required

If all you need is Photoshop, buy a current Photoshop Elements Easy Photo & Video Editing Software | Adobe Elements 2019 Family

sebastiang3006Author

Participant

Thank you very much for all your answers! Looks like it's harder than I thought to get it running again. So I either have to purchase a CS 3 version online or change to CC6 which will be expensive since I only use it for personal use... thank you all!

Sincerely

Sebastian

Community Expert

Correct answer

Community Expert

If you buy CS3 from an individual, I do NOT know if the serial number you buy will work to install your CS5 upgrade version... so you may be spending money for nothing

Also, you mention new Mac and CS5... which may not install or work

CS6 and earlier programs HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED AND WILL NOT BE UPDATED for Mac El Capitan or newer operating systems

-which means that you try to use CS6 and earlier at YOUR risk of having problems due to Apple updates

-this is about the 4+ year old CS6, but it will probably apply to other programs of that age

-Apple did not maintain backward compatibility with old programs in El Capitan or newer operating systems

--Adobe has a workaround to Apple's problem of not maintaining backward compatibility

--READ HERE https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2301916 for an Adobe solution to installing old programs, including a link to installing the old Java runtime that is required

If all you need is Photoshop, buy a current Photoshop Elements Easy Photo & Video Editing Software | Adobe Elements 2019 Family

Community Expert

Community Expert

sebastiang3006 wrote
Or can I download CS3 without a product key and use the cs5 upgrade key?

No. CS3 Activation Servers were taken offline a while back. So you would need to get a new installer and serial number that does not require activation. And to do that you must have a valid CS3 serial number.

See correct answer below for more details.

Re-activating CS3 (Updated)

Adding to that, you will find that Creative Suite installers are not compatible with newer Macs. So you need to install using terminal workarounds plus you have to get Java SE6 Runtime installed. And there's still no guarantee legacy software will work on your modern Mac.

Installing Creative Suite on macOS 10.12 (Sierra)

Download Java for OS X 2017-001

Having said all that, you could avoid these hassles and simply subscribe to Creative Cloud. The 7-day trial is free.

Download and install a Creative Cloud trial

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

Community Expert

Community Expert

you have 3 ways to recover a serial number that you once had:

1. if you purchased from or registered with adobe (automatically done with cs6):,

a. you can check your account, https://accounts.adobe.com

b. you can check with adobe support* (be prepared to give the email address used when registering purchasing)

2. if your adobe program is installed on another computer you can recover its serial number from that computer, (win:) http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html, (mac:) https://mac-product-key-finder.com/

3. http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/find-serial-number.html

*

using a browser that allows popups and cookies, contact adobe support during pst business hours by clicking here and, when available, click 'chat', http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/service-ccm.html

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Community Expert

Lost information - see reply #1 in https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2008767

You MUST be able to provide your previous serial number when installing an upgrade version