Adobe issue blocking my second access to Photoshop CS6

[waterwin2]

In preparation of the move to Windows 11 I would like to install my second version on another pc. But :

Activated devices
You can install Adobe applications on more than one computer, activate them (sign in) on two, but use them on only one computer at a time. To activate apps on a third machine, you’ll need to deactivate (sign out) on one of the two current computers first.

empty state
You have no activated devices

>> How can I remove 1 of my activated devices if this list is empty ?

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

That sounds like the instructions for a newer Creative Cloud version. You don't have that; you have an old Creative Suite version, which is long out of support. That's why it's not listed where you're looking. Creative Cloud apps can be remotely deactivated. Creative Suite apps could not - you had to deactivate from within the application (Help > Deactivate).

As long as it's registered your CS6 should be listed somewhere else, but I don't think you can see the number of used activations.

If you still have a vacant activation slot, you don't need to do anything. Just install and it will activate silently in the background. If your two allowed activations are used - e.g. if you reinstalled without deactivating first - then it cannot be activated again.

[waterwin2]

You can not de-activate any more. And Adobe simple killed the product that I paid for and even confirm this :

The Adobe serial number you entered is invalid
It may be blocked due to misuse - or because we no longer support new activations of outdated software and apps.

So I can not move any of my 2 activations to Windows 11 from a working Windows 10 + CS6 machine on the same machine as they require you to re-activate or re-install after a OS upgrade. Thank you Adobe.

-- -- we no longer support new activations of outdated software -- --

Outdated ??? Very useable for what I do non-profesiionally with CS6

So the correct answer is incomplete and is not showing the full context.

[D Fosse]

The Adobe serial number you entered is invalid. It may be blocked due to misuse

By @waterwin2

Where did you buy it, and when?

You should know, just for general context, that pirated and illegal CS copies has been an entire industry on the internet for the last ten years. These cracked serial numbers are often not detected (and blocked by Adobe) until attempted reactivation when the serial number is sent to Adobe.

The only safe way is to purchase directly from Adobe - but for CS6, no legal serial numbers have been available since around 2017.

[waterwin2]

I have been using this software since around 2011 and yes it was bought via Adobe themselves, I have the original CD and original print that was with their cd holding the official serial number. It has been in use ever since and was moved from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on the same machine. I am now trying to move it to Windows 11 due to MS stopping official Windows 10 support in October.

The suggestion that it might be unofficial or even cracked software is rather offending.

[D Fosse]

I should have been clearer that I wasn't implying anything. Sorry. I was just stating a fact. You have no idea how many people have bought a cracked version in good faith from what they thought were legitimate resellers. They come here all the time, unsuspecting.

Was it an upgrade? In that case you need the serial number from the previous version as well.

[Ged_Traynor]

@waterwin2 sorry to be blunt, but you're talking about software that was released 14 years ago, do you really expect an application to run forever and be supported, you got a good run for your money, maybe it's time to move on, either upgrade to the Creative Cloud or find paid for or free alternatives to Photoshop, there are plenty of options out there

[waterwin2]

I have been using this software since around 2011 and yes it was bought via Adobe themselves, I have the original CD and original print that was with their cd holding the official serial number. It has been in use ever since and was moved from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on the same machine. I am now trying to move it to Windows 11 due to MS stopping official Windows 10 support in October.
The suggestion that it might be unofficial or even cracked software is rather offending.