CS3 and Windows 11

[Wingspar]

I recently bought a new computer with Win 11 on it. Still setting it up and not using it yet. I’ve been using CS3 since about 2003 and love it. It does all I want/need to do these days. I have lots of keyboard shortcuts. I don’t have any desire to upgrade or use subscription or a cloud based service. I like everything on my hard drive. Is there a way for me to install CS3 on my Win 11 computer?

[Ged_Traynor · Accepted solution]

@Wingspar bad news for you I'm afraid, CS3 servers have been shut down for some years and there's no way to activate it any longer

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

An alternative which would be comparable to the features in CS3 would be to purchase Adobe Photoshop Elements. No subscription required:

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buy-elements.html

[Abambo]

I would also suggest the Photography plan (20Gb!) for around 10 bucks per month. That is a subscription, but for Photoshop, that is like a Ford Model T against a modern Mustang.

[Wingspar]

Ok.  I appreciate the replies.  That is very unfortunate that Adobe dumped users that paid for their programs.  They should never expire.  I looked at Elements, and did not like it at all.  I have downloaded the Affinity Photo Trial and will most likely go that way as it’s $69 and no subscription and I’ve heard people say it’s on par with Photoshop.  So far, I like what I see in Affinity Photo, except for that crop tool and one other thing, such as the floating window I have in CS3.

One quick question.  I also have CS4 and CS5 in unopened boxes.  Do these fall into the same category as the CS3 servers?

[John Waller]

CS5 can still be activated. CS4 cannot.

CS5 is likely the next candidate to be discontinued but no-one (other than Adobe) knows when that will be. Activate it while you can.

[jane-e]

That is very unfortunate that Adobe dumped users that paid for their programs.  They should never expire. 

By @Wingspar

To clarify, you can continue using CS3 on the computer and OS you were using it on as long as all three continue working. However, there is no way to activate CS3, as the activation servers were shut down several years ago.

Jane

[Wingspar]

I installed CS5 on my Win 11 computer and it is running in Demo mode. Looks good and works. Problem is, when I put in the serial number, it says the serial number is invalid. The serial number starts with 1330. Are the CS5 servers now shut down?  Do I have any options to make CS5 work?

[Abambo]

CS5 servers are still up and running if I'm correctly informed. However, I can't say for how long this will last.

[John Waller]

@Wingspar An invalid serial number is a licensing issue, not an activation issue.

Adobe's licensing server has detected that you are using what it deems to be an invalid serial number. You'll have to contact Adobe Customer Care to discuss further. You may need proof of purchase to verify it's a legitimate version.

[Wingspar]

A little more background if it helps before I try to contact Adobe Customer Care.  I bought this from a friend who had a friend that worked at Adobe years ago for a total of $45, but never installed it till now.  It did not have a serial number anywhere on the box or on the envelope that the CD was in.  I got the serial number from a little program I downloaded that found the serial number.  Wasn’t free either.  Sure seems like this serial number should be good.

[jane-e]

 I got the serial number from a little program I downloaded that found the serial number.  Wasn’t free either.  Sure seems like this serial number should be good.

By @Wingspar

What else can you tell us about the "little program" that you downloaded?

Jane

[Wingspar]

It’s called Daossoft product key rescue

[John Waller]

Sure seems like this serial number should be good.

By @Wingspar

I would have said the opposite.

Obtaining outdated, superseded software from a friend of a friend for a fraction of the original retail price has all the hallmarks of illegitimate software. Best to contact Adobe Customer Care and explain the situation.

[Wingspar]

I believe that I bought CS5 well before CS6 came out.  I have no idea of the year I bought it nor did I get a receipt.  This friend was a close friend of my other half’s brother.  My other half got one too, and has been using it for years.

[Peru Bob]

My other half got one too, and has been using it for years.

By @Wingspar

It is possible that if it is not a legal copy, it took Adobe a while to discover it.  If CS5 hasn't tried to connect to the internet, it may not be detected as an illegal copy, even if it is not a legal copy.

[Peru Bob]

 I bought this from a friend who had a friend...  I got the serial number from a little program I downloaded that found the serial number.  

By @Wingspar

That doesn't sound good to me.  I think you're out of luck.

But contact support just in case I'm wrong.

[Wingspar]

Pretty sure I bought this copy of CS5 in 2010.

[Nancy OShea]

I had to double check the date of this post. 🙂  CS3 is discontinued software from 2007. 

There's no way it will run on a modern computer with Windows 11, even if activation was possible (it's not). 

MODERN OPTIONS:
Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (approx $100, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:

• Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
• Camera Raw
• Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
• Lightroom Classic
• Portfolio website + hosting
• Adobe Express (free starter plan)
• Bridge
• 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Premium Adobe Express ($10/month).

• Adobe Express app (web and mobile)
• Premiere Rush (video editing on desktop and mobile)
• Photoshop Express (mobile)
• Spark Video (mobile)
• Spark Page (mobile)
• Adobe Portfolio + hosting
• 100 GB of cloud storage
• All premium templates and design assets including the collection of over 160 million royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection.

https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

Creative Cloud All Apps (51 + pro apps & services) and Single App Plans
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Hope that helps.