Bypass

[SalleseK]

My pc that has all of my CS3 apps is old and slow as molasses. I know it isn't supported and hasn't been for a while. I know there are updated versions. My programs work fine and I'd like to remain using them since a paid a few thousand for the whole package. Does anyone know a way to piggyback them to a new computer and bypass the whole "your apps are old- not supported" spiel? 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

No, that doesn't exist. 

You would need to install them, which is not supported anmore. They will not run on new systems, but also you cannot register them anymore, because those servers are down.

[SalleseK]

So not even a digital program transferring device from computer to computer would work? I get the server/support/registration yadda. Some have found success with removing a specific file others have not. These programs were paid for and should still be usable!

[Monika Gause]

they are still usable on the computer you installed them on. CS3 was nearly 20 years ago, there have been revolutions in system and hardware architecture. 

[Bobby Henderson]

Ultimately we're just "renting" the software we use one way or another. It doesn't matter if you're buying perpetual license software or something that runs via a subscription like Creative Cloud. Any personal computer is going to have a limited life span. Versions of operating systems are supported for only so long. Microsoft recently ended support for Windows 10. Old applications wind up not being able to operate because they lose compatibility with newer operating systems and newer computer hardware.

The only way to keep an old application "alive" is by running it on old yet operational computer hardware. Or one can have the old application running on a new computer, but inside a virtual machine that runs an old version of Windows.

In order to get an old CS3 application to run again would require having downloaded an activation-free version that Adobe offered to registered users shortly before the CS3 activation servers were retired. Those links and downloads are no longer available.

Adobe CS3 was released in April of 2007, more than 18 years ago.

[SalleseK]

So no, basically! I remember when I bought it, still have the receipt. I prefer CS3 over the newer versions, so I'll just stop inquiring about it and use it on the computer its loaded on. It's paid for and does what I need it to. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Accepted solution]

Check out:

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite.html

From link:

Creative Suite 2, 3, and 4

You can no longer reinstall Creative Suite 2, 3, or 4, even if you have the original installation disks. The aging activation servers for those apps had to be retired.  

It's unlikely you would be able to do a bit copy to another computer because the software depends on certain system files when installed. 

[SalleseK]

Thanks for the responses everyone!  Now I know there isn't a work-a-round, which was all I needed to know. I'll pitch the Suite and use what I have loaded.