How to update InDesign 18.0 to 18.3/4/5

[mayday-mayday]

So I have some customers that are still on InDesign 18.3 and 18.5 and they cannot update to a later version because they are using third-party software that is locked to these versions. After purchasing some new hardware, they are unable to download or install InDesign 18/2023 via the CC app. I reached out to Adobe support, but all they would give me is a link for an 18.0 installer. The installer works, but there is no longer any way for the CC app to update it to 18.3/4/5. I have asked them repeatedly and the same answer every time-this is the only installer we have OR update to 2024 or 2025 which is not an option. The only thing that has sorta worked is copying the InDesign app itself from a working machine and copying over the 18.0 version that got installed with the installer. This is a less than ideal solution-anyone have any ideas or access to 18.3/4/5 updates, directly?

[BobLevine]

You've already found the only solution. In fact, you're lucky they gave you an 18.0 installer so if I were you, I'd have a long talk with the customers about this because the longer it goes on, the harder it's going to be.

[Peter Spier]

I've had success reinstalling old versions by first running the base installer, then overwriting the program folder with a copy of an updated install from an old machine.

[BobLevine]

That's what the OP did.

[Peter Spier]

Right. Reading too fast and missed that last part.

[BobLevine]

I may have been guilty of that once or twice in the past myself. 🙂

[defaulta5k9sk803ng5]

Do you have a link to the installer? I'm experiencing the same thing.

[mayday-mayday]

The links Adobe (willingly) gave me were all temporary (expired after 24hours). For clarirty, upon request through the support chat, they gave me links for all flavors of the InDesign 18.0 installer (Mac/Intel, Mac/Apple, Windows).