How can I legally purchase Photoshop CS6 in 2025? Is activation still possible?

[raccoon_3679]

Hi,

I would like to know if there is still a legal and reliable way to purchase Photoshop CS6 in 2025 for personal commercial use (not student or enterprise).

I have a few important questions:

1. Is it still possible to activate Photoshop CS6 in 2025 using a valid, unused serial number?

2. Which types of CS6 licenses (e.g., retail/FPP) are legally transferable to another person?

3. If I purchase CS6 secondhand, when do I need an official transfer of license form for Adobe to recognize the ownership?

4. Are enterprise licenses allowed to be resold to individuals for personal use?

5. How can I confirm that a secondhand CS6 purchase is legitimate and safe to activate, without violating Adobe’s policy?

I’m looking to make a legal purchase and want to avoid any activation issues.
Any help or official insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[davescm · Accepted solution]

I would like to know if there is still a legal and reliable way to purchase Photoshop CS6 in 2025 for personal commercial use (not student or enterprise). Not new, no. Anyone claiming to be selling that is selling a pirated copy.

1. Is it still possible to activate Photoshop CS6 in 2025 using a valid, unused serial number? Yes, a genuine copy of CS6 can still be activated, provided the two permitted activations have not been exceeded. This is to allow owners to deactivate on one machine and activate on another.

2. Which types of CS6 licenses (e.g., retail/FPP) are legally transferable to another person?
See here : https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/transfer-product-license.html
The process must be instigated by the license holder and the proposed new holder

3. If I purchase CS6 secondhand, when do I need an official transfer of license form for Adobe to recognize the ownership?
Same link as in 2. Beware , there are many pirate copies for sale and these carry the risk of malware and being closed down with no notice.

4. Are enterprise licenses allowed to be resold to individuals for personal use? 
No. Unfortunately, unscrupulous folk do sell them and the users are left with no comeback when their software is shut down as Adobe spot the use of such licenses.

5. How can I confirm that a secondhand CS6 purchase is legitimate and safe to activate, without violating Adobe’s policy?
That is extremely difficult. Personally I would not buy it now, and certainly would not pay anything until the transfer process in 2 was complete.

A couple more things. CS6 was developed before modern 4K screens and does not have the UI scaling options in current versions. CS6 is unsupported (it was version 13 - The current version is v26.)  
The most likely outcome of a purchase of CS6 now is that you end up with a pirated copy, malware, and the version being shut down with no recourse.

Dave

[Trevor.Dennis]

If you are interested in CS6 because of its one time price, don't forget to look at alternatives like Photoshop Elements. It currently sells for US$99, and while I don't know for sure, I suspect that in many ways it will be a lot more powerful than Photoshop CS6

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

I'm a bit out of touch, but this is what Google Ai summarizer says:

Note: for experinced Photoshop users, the lack of a Pen tool and workpaths would make it untenable, but it apparently uses Ai enhanced tools.  Go ask on the Elements forum if you are interested. 

Photoshop Elements has limitations compared to the full Photoshop, primarily in advanced features and color modes. It has a maximum image dimension limit of 30,000 by 30,000 pixels and lacks features like 3D modeling, advanced compositing, and full RAW editing capabilities. Additionally, it doesn't support CMYK or LAB color modes, or 16- and 32-bit image processing. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Limited Advanced Features:

• No 3D Modeling:

  Photoshop Elements does not offer 3D modeling capabilities, unlike the full Photoshop. 
• Limited RAW Editing:

  While it can open RAW files, Elements doesn't offer the same level of RAW editing control as Photoshop, particularly in areas like lens corrections or advanced adjustments. 
• Fewer Advanced Editing Tools:

  Photoshop Elements lacks some of the more sophisticated tools and features found in Photoshop, such as advanced compositing capabilities, specific layer blending modes (like Subtract or Divide), and more advanced selection tools. 

2. Color Mode Limitations:

• No CMYK or LAB Color:

  Photoshop Elements does not support CMYK (used for print) or LAB color modes, which are essential for professional print design.
• Limited Bit Depth:

  It only supports 8-bit image processing, while Photoshop offers 16-bit and 32-bit processing, crucial for high-end photo editing and HDR work. 

3. Other Limitations:

• Maximum Image Size:

  The Editor in Photoshop Elements has a maximum image dimension limit of 30,000 by 30,000 pixels. 
• Removed Features:

  Some features have been removed in newer versions of Elements, such as Tilt-Shift, Photomerge Faces, and Photomerge Scene Cleaner. 
• Licensing:

  As of Photoshop Elements 2025, Adobe licenses the product for a 3-year term, requiring users to upgrade after that period. 
• Fewer Workspace Options:

  Photoshop offers more workspace options for different tasks, such as 3D, Graphic and Web, and Motion. 
• No Pen Tool or Paths:

  Photoshop Elements lacks the Pen tool and the ability to create and manipulate paths. 

[davescm]

@Trevor.Dennis Photoshop Elements is now a 3 year licence. Adobe no longer sell a perpetual licence for any version of Photoshop.

Dave

[Trevor.Dennis]

Oh wow!  Thanks for the heads up Dave.  I can see it right there when I take a proper look, but considering the flack they _still_ get for moving Photoshop to a subscription model, I'm pretty surprised that they have done the same with with Elements.  

[raccoon_3679]

Thanks again to those who answered!
I have an additional question.
If there are people who use genuine cs6, please answer. If I log in to the Adobe site, can I check the information about cs6 ownership? If I transfer ownership to someone, where can I check the information and serial number related to the cs6 product I own? Also, is the cs6 installation file on the Adobe site? If not, is it only possible to install it with the cd installation file provided in the package?
If there is anyone who knows, please answer!

[davescm]

On your own Adobe account you can check the products that you registered at the time of buying. If you did not register then nothing shows. You cannot check the validity of products that were purchased by others (registered or not).

If you purchased CS6 directly from Adobe when they sold it, which they have not for years, you can still download from your own account. If you purchased elsewhere you cannot. Adobe do not make installation files available via other routes.

Photoshop CSx was one of the most pirated applications. Trying to purchase now, long after its official end of life, is fraught with pitfalls. The chances of ending up with a legitimate version are remote.

Dave

[raccoon_3679]

Thanks for your answer! I have another question! If someone loses their serial number, will Adobe provide the serial number of the old version of CS on the Adobe site? I have heard that some users of the old version lost their serial number and could not install it. If Adobe does not provide a separate installation file on the Adobe site as you said, if a user loses the installation CD, will they be permanently unable to install it?

[Glenn 8675309]

You are S.O.L. 

You asked two questions.   

1. no.
2. yes.