Can CS versions of Illustrator (e.g., CS5, 5.5, or 6) run on Mac OS Big Sur?

[birckcmi]

That's about it. Big Sur runs fine on my M1 Mac Mini, and since I retired and am not making any money using Illustrator or Photoshop, I would like to stop my subscription from taking a $50+ chunk out of my account every month. So: it's still possible to buy disc-based versions of both applications, but is it possible to run them on a recent Mac?

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

The long answer is no and also you cannot register them anymore.

[birckcmi]

Thanks, Monika. That's what I feared was the case. Not sure what my next step will be. 

[Monika Gause]

Do you just want to create new files or also be able to edit your old files?

You could switch to a month by month subscription and just pay for a month when you need it  and cancel by the end of that month.

[Out2sea]

So what is the last version of OS that will let me use Adobe CS 5.5. I have an old Imac that I don't use for internet purposes or anything besides watching DVD's and editing photos every now and then?

[Monika Gause]

I had it on 10.10

That was the last system the computer could do.

[birckcmi]

Actually, there's another issue that cropped up and stopped me dead in my tracks: In my current version of Illustrator (28.6 ?). I can no longer use the app to design anything that isn't calibrated in points.  Since I don't do type and page layout at all, but I do -or did- design woodworking and metalworking projects in Illustrator, is it possible to get the app to function using inches, centimeters, millimeters, etc?  I was able t get one project doe by specifying sizes along with the postscript cm, in., or mm, but it took me three times as long as it should have, and there was NO WAY for me to simply state the preferred units of measure at the beginning and save the trouble of "cm" after every measurement. Is this "progress" for Adobe? If there's no way around this,  then Illustrator has lost its usefulness to me. Out it goes. No more subsription.

[Monika Gause]

Of course you can set up these units.

One way to do so is in the document set up.

Or turn the rulers on and then right click the rulers

Or edit the New document profile