Want to switch my Creative Suite cs5.5 software to a new computer but dont have original discs.

[Wildrose5C2F]

I'm running my CS5.5 on a very old computer which I'm taking out of service, and need to move it to a new computer. Unfortunately I can no longer find my original discs. I thought I was able to download the software using the serial number but I can't seem to make that work. Tech support chat told me to ask in these forums. 

Thanks!

[John T Smith]

I do not know how far back this process will go, but try...
Direct Download Links https://prodesigntools.com/tag/ddl MAY help
-you MUST do what it says in Note: Very Important Instructions
-https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cc-2015-direct-download-links.html#download-instructions
-the prodesign links go directly to Adobe's file server, so this process will
--only work until Adobe completely removes the old version(s) from the server
.
IF/When you do have a download, be sure to copy it to AT LEAST one external device
-since Adobe does sometimes remove old versions from the server
-a usb flash drive or external hard drive, or write to a DVD
-plus a text file containing your serial number if you have a serial number program

If the Prodesign site doesn't have a link for that very old version, you are out of luck... nobody in a public forum can help

[Wildrose5C2F]

OK thank you, it looks like CS6 is the oldest file I can get. I'm not sure if my CS5.5 SN will activate it but i'll try.

Thanks for the help!

[Test Screen Name]

No, a CS5.5 serial number will not activate CS6.

[Nancy OShea]

@Wildrose5C2F,

You probably didn't search deep enough.  Here's the link to CS5.5 direct downloads. Be sure to follow the VERY IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS or it won't work.

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cs5-5-direct-download-links.html

But this may be all for naught if you don't have an old OS to support it. 🤕

[Wildrose5C2F]

Thank you very much for the link!

However, I've downloaded the CS5.5 files but when I try to install them I get an error saying " The installer failed to initialize, this could be due to a missing file. please downlaod adobe support advisor to detect the problem." I cannot find a link to download Adobe support advisor. 😞

[John T Smith]

What Nancy said about new operating systems

If you do have a "sort of" compatible Mac system read this...

Apple did not maintain backward compatibility, so try this to install old programs
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

[Wildrose5C2F]

I'm on PC not MAC, will be installing on windows 10.

[John T Smith]

Two ideas that MAY work to install and/or run old programs in Windows 10
-RIGHT click the program icon or EXE and select a compatibility mode in the pop up option window
-and/or select Run as Administrator to assign FULL Windows permissions
-also https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/create-local-administrator-account-windows.html

[Wildrose5C2F]

I was able to get the Adobe Illustrator installed as a 30 day trial, but it wont take my 16 digit serieal number to activate the program completely. I only need Illustrator these days, for file conversions every once in a while. So I no longer have use for the full creative suite. Its a shame I may have to start paying monthly for a program i'll rarely use.  😞

[John Waller]

16 digit serieal number

@Wildrose5C2F Valid Adobe serial numbers are 24 numeric digits - no letters.

See: https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/find-serial-number.html

[Wildrose5C2F]

So Adobe has switched to 24 digit serial numbers? I'm positive the 16 digit number i used is the same number I used to install it years ago. 

[Peru Bob]

 I'm positive the 16 digit number i used is the same number I used to install it years ago. 

By @Wildrose5C2F

No.

CS5.5 definitely is a 24 digit serial number.   I had CS5.5 installed years ago and have the serial numbers.

You probably got the 16 digits from looking on the computer on which CS5.5 was installed.  It will only show 16 of the 24 digits.

[Nancy OShea]

So Adobe has switched to 24 digit serial numbers?

============

@Wildrose5C2F,

Are you sure you don't have a redemption code which is NOT the same as a serial number?  See link below.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/redemption-code-help.html

[John T Smith]

If you still have your old computer and the program is still installed

Lost information https://community.adobe.com/t5/Premiere-Pro/Find-serial-number-without-Adpbe-ID/td-p/7769446
- page has links to programs to find an installed serial number in Mac or Windows

And ditto on the serial number being six groups of 4 numbers

I have numbers going all the way back to Photoshop Elements 4 and all numbers are 24 digits

[Wildrose5C2F]

Thank you!, Yes I still have the old computer working as I din't want to dissable it unitl I coud get my adobe moved over. I hope one of these programs will work to help me retreieve the complete product key from my system.

[John Waller]

I still have the old computer working as I din't want to dissable it unitl I coud get my adobe moved over.

@Wildrose5C2F Wise move.

Belarc Advisor is an exceptionally good - and free - utility software app which will look deep inside your computer and extract every serial number from just about every software app you've ever installed. I've used it several times over the years.

Use it to extract your full 24 digit CS5.5 serial number from your old computer.

https://www.belarc.com/products_belarc_advisor

[Wildrose5C2F]

I used Belarc to retrieve my complete 24 product key form my old computer. So now i've downloaded & extracted the files for CS5.5 to my new computer but when I go to run the set up and enter the product key it says "The serial number you entered is invalid, however the qualifying software cannot be found on this computer."  Then it says to use the serial number you entered as an upgrade, you must own one of these qualifying products. It shows a drop down of various adobe products, all of which I have installed on my oold computer. Now what ?!

[John T Smith]

Go back to your old computer and write down ALL of your Adobe serial numbers, so you may enter a qualifying number when installing an upgrade program

[John Waller]

---

when I go to run the set up and enter the product key it says "The serial number you entered is invalid, however the qualifying software cannot be found on this computer."

---

I assume you mean "the serial number entered is valid" (not invalid).

 It shows a drop down of various adobe products, all of which I have installed on my oold computer. Now what ?!

To reinstall CS5.5 upgrade, you also need a serial number from either: CS3, CS4 or CS5 to verify that you're entitled to use your CS5.5 upgrade serial number - since you bought the upgrade at a discount.

So find one of those other serial numbers (CS3 or CS4 or CS5) from the Belarc report and enter that into the CS5.5 installer. Then CS5.5 should complete the installation and activate.

Keep all serial numbers safe so you don't have to re-live this agony in future.

[Wildrose5C2F]

Yes that was a typo, I meant to say the seriel numbe entered is valid.

Anyways I went to my studio today to get in front of the old computer and used Belarc again but it only gives me the product key for my Adobe CS5.5 and Acrobat X pro, I wasn't able to use either of them to help reinstall new CS5.5 software on my new computer. 

I tried opening Indesign and photoshop to see if I could find a serial number but couldn't. I'm afriad of de-authorizing the software on my old computer for fear of not being able to reinstall it and completely lose my Adobe programs. 😞

[John T Smith]

And you will... of course... write your serial number on paper and keep it in a safe place???

[Nancy OShea]

@Wildrose5C2F,

I can't help with that, sorry.  The installers are what they are and nobody is updating discontinued software from 2011.  

Without your original installation disks and an old OS that can support it, I think it's fair to say that you've reached the end of the line with CS5.5.  It's time to get modern software.  Creative Suite is no longer legally sold by any vendor, retailer or in any country.

MODERN OPTIONS:
Photoshop Elements or Premier Elements (approx $100, no subscription needed).
- https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:
- Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
- Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
- Lightroom Classic
- Portfolio website + hosting
- Spark with premium features
- Bridge
- 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Creative Cloud All Apps (51 + apps & services) and Single Apps Plans
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Make sure your computer meets the minimum CPU & GPU requirements.  Most Creative Cloud apps work on:

• Windows 10 versions 21H1, 20H2, 2004, and 1909 (LTSB branches are not supported)
• macOS 12 (Monterey), macOS 11 and macOS 10.16 (Big Sur), and macOS 10.15 (Catalina)

- https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

=============
Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell you software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away! Real Adobe employees will never reach out via Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail or Skype.
=============
3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
https://tinyurl.com/10791730

[Nancy OShea]

@Wildrose5C2F,

FYI, Creative Suite is not compatible with new operating systems  -- macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey or PCs with Win 11. 

Legacy Creative Suite installers won't work on macOS Sierra, High Sierra or Mojave without terminal workarounds. See the help article below.
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/install-creative-suite-mac-os-sierra.html

Most modern Creative Cloud Apps ARE compatible with new OSs.
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

=============
Beware of fake Adobe reps who may contact you privately offering to sell you software or take control of your computer. It's a scam, run away! Real Adobe employees will never reach out via Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail or Skype.
=============
3 Easy Ways to Identify Genuine Adobe Staff
https://tinyurl.com/10791730

[Peru Bob]

If I recall correctly, I think that CS5.5 download versions had different serial numbers than the disc versions.