Creative Suite 3 on Notebook (Windows 11)

[jetztistgut]

Hello hello...

 after working with a Desktop PC and Windows 11, where CS3 runs properly, I bought a notebook with Winds 11, and there is a problem, I can't resolve:

Starting Photoshop is not the problem but open that window to insert the key is. So what to do?

Does anybody have an idea to fix this? That would be fantastic.

Thomas

[D Fosse]

The activation servers for CS4 and earlier have been shut down a while ago. This 18-year old software can no longer be activated. It works as long as it works, but it can't be reinstalled.

CS5 and CS6 can still be activated, but probably not for much longer.

[jetztistgut]

Yes, about the server shut down I've been informed already, but i have both the original installation DVD and the file published by Adobe to install CS3 without online registration. 

[D Fosse]

The non-activation version they issued was for a limited time. It doesn't work now. Sorry, but CS3 is dead.

As a low cost alternative, the current Photoshop Elements is way beyond CS3 in terms of functionality and usability on modern systems.

[jetztistgut]

Not true. I don't expect that everybody knows everything, but why should Creative Suite 3 be dead? I have both: A Key for the regular version and the key for the offline version, purchased with invoice from a dealer around here, and as I said: It is working properly on my Windows 11 Desktop PC. The problem and why I started this thread here: It's not running on my Windows 11 notebook. And the next step is to get the window for key insertion to be displyed. That's all for now.

[ExUSA]

CS3 is no longer supported, and even if you can enter the key, the activation servers are shut down so you will be limited to the 30-day trial period.

[jetztistgut]

Not true. 

[jetztistgut]

haha sorry, long day. True is: It's not supported anymore, bbut not true is, that it'S limited to Trial. I worked qith it legally for years now.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@jetztistgut this is what is true : There is no means to activate anymore.

When was the last time you installed and activated on your desktop?

Have you been upgrading the OS and running the same installation of CS3 over the years? That would be the only case where CS3 would continue to work. If you were to uninstall on your desktop youd be in the same situation as your laptop. It cannot activate. 

CS3 is not supported and no one here can assist you with getting it to install properly on your laptop. It doesn't matter if you have the invoice, online keys or offline keys. 

[D Fosse]

@jetztistgut 

You're missing the point. If it was installed and activated back when it could be activated, it will continue running until something breaks down.

What we're saying is that it cannot be activated now, whatever version or serial number you have. Inserting the serial number is pointless and futile. It won't register on any server, those servers are shut down, and most likely it will just stall at the dialog because it's not connecting to anything.

[jetztistgut]

There is no need to get down this road and talk about what you know and I experienced. 

I need help to get that window open. That's all I ever asked here. 

[D Fosse]

@jetztistgut 

It won't open because there's nothing it can connect to. It will not open, and even if it did, it wouldn't accomplish anything. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can move on. Sorry, I didn't decide this, but it's how it is.

[jane-e]

I need help to get that window open. That's all I ever asked here. 

By @jetztistgut

Volunteers can only tell you how the system works. We do not work for Adobe and cannot activate CS3.

You can try Adobe Customer Care to contact Adobe staff, but we will warn you ahead of time that you are unlikely to get help from them. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html

Jane

[hannah_2740]

Hey Thomas!

I ran into a similar issue before — it’s usually because Photoshop CS3’s activation window isn’t compatible with newer versions of Windows 11. The easiest fix is to run the program in compatibility mode:

1. Right-click on the Photoshop CS3 shortcut → Properties.

2. Go to the Compatibility tab.

3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for → Windows 7 (or XP).

4. Also check Run as administrator, then click Apply.

After that, try opening Photoshop again — the key window should appear normally.
If it still doesn’t, you can also try disabling high DPI scaling under the same tab.

Hope that helps!
— Hannah

[D Fosse]

See above.

[ExUSA]

Opening the activation window is pointless. Adobe has shut down the activation servers so entering a key does nothing. You cannot activate the product and it will not function after the 30-day trial period. This has been hashed out over and over and over on these forums.