How to manually uninstall CS3 suite from Windows 7

[Katrina Robb]

I have Creative Suite 3 Production Premium on Windows 7,

I need to uninstall CS3 so I can reinstall it.

Windows 7 - Control Panel/Programs/Programs and Features/Add or Remove Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium/Uninstall/Change did nothing.

AdobeCreativeSuiteCleanerTool.exe stated "There is no session to delete."

The useless Adobe tech support told me to call them and then told me that they will not help me because CS3 is no longer covered.  Go the forum for help.

I did check on Windows 7 compatibility and CS3 is compatible.

I did try to add a new Administrator User and tried to reinstall CS3 . I can use the trial, but it will not recognize my serial number as valid.  I cannot use Windows 7 Uninstall nor Adobe Cleaner Tool on this new user either.

So how do I manually delete CS3, so I can reinstall CS3?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

What happened on your computer prior to experiencing these difficulties?  Was Creative Suite 3 working previously on your computer?  Do you utilize any type of system optimizer/registry cleaner?  Have you run system restore recently?

[Katrina Robb]

I did a routine Windows update of the critical issues. Adobe was working, but not very smooth (little things like a delay with the mouse and key board functions.)  So I did a full shut down and rebooted. Then all Adobe products stopped working.  I was able to repair Dreamweaver 5 and Acrobat 9.5 without uninstalling, but not CS3.  Windows would not uninstall CS3 so I contacted Dell, as my computer is still under warrantee.  With their help, I added a new Administrator User and tried to reinstall CS3.  I can use the trial, but it will not recognize my serial number as valid.  I cannot use Windows 7 Uninstall nor Adobe Cleaner Tool on this new user either.

Then my Dell crashed with memory card issues.  I sent it to Dell and they replaced the memory cards.  That may have been the problem in the first place.  I did do a diagnostic check on the computer prior to contacting Adobe and it did pass, but my computer had been giving me BSOD every once in a while.  I have not had any crashes since the fix, but I obviously have not been running multiple graphic programs at the same time.

Yes - CS3 was work fine prior to the update.

No - I have not used a optimizer/registry clearer.

No - I did not do a System Restore, because the crash would not let me restore nor go into safe mode.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

If you have no other Adobe applications installed please try deleting Program Files(x86)/Common Files/Adobe PCD and the caps folder.  If you have a 32-bit version of Windows then it will be Program Files instead of Program Files(x86).  This should resolve your difficulty with being able to enter your serial number and having it accepted.

[Katrina Robb]

I do not have a folder called Adobe PCD under Program Files(x86)/Common Files (I use the 64-bit).  I checked under the Program Files/Common Files and there are no Adobe files.

I do have Program Files(x86)/Common Files/Adobe/Adobe PCD folder.  Should I move it into Common Files?

What about Dreamweaver 5 and Acrobat 9 Pro?  Would that effect those two working programs?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Ah sorry Katrina it has been a very long week.  Please delete the Adobe PCD and caps folder located inside Program Files(x86)/Common Files/Adobe.

[Katrina Robb]

I removed the two folders.  I now receive a new error message -> "The Installer Database is corrupt.  Please contact Adobe Customer Service if this problem continues."  I received this error on both the Windows uninstall program and using the disc.  The Cleaner Tool still does not work.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Yes this would only have resolved the issue with allowing the serial number to be entered.  You have larger issues which is likely causing the failure of the cleaner tool and the uninstaller.  You can also try deleting the backup folder from Program Files(x86)\Common Files\Adobe\backup.  If you continue to face difficulties with entering your serial number I don't have any other suggestions to offer at this time.

[Katrina Robb]

When I tried to start Photoshop, it says that the license does not work and to uninstall / reinstall program.

Deleting backup did not work.

I just want to know what to delete in CS3 manually.  Delete everything with CS3 under programs?  Where else?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright · Accepted solution]

You could try running this utility from Microsoft to see if it allows you to remove Creative Suite 3, and thus reinstall, http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall.

If that doesn't work you can remove what Adobe software you can remove and then delete the following directories.

• Program Files\Adobe
• Program Files\Common Files\Adobe
• Program Files(x86)\Adobe
• Program Files(x86)\Common Files\Adobe
• Program Data\Adobe
• Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe

The last two folders you will need to be able to view hidden files in order to locate the directories.