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nathanaelm68873810
nathanaelm68873810
Participant
August 14, 2017
Answered

[Locked] Adobe Photoshop CS3 Activation [CS3 is dead]

  • August 14, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 36271 views

I know the CS3 servers are decommissioned, but I have a user who would like to install their CS3 application on their machine. I have posted the information below:

 

(Serial numbers removed. This is a public forum and anyone can copy them) Moderator

 

I have seen various posts regarding this but need and "Authorization Code" for this user to begin working on his tasks for today. I have already called support and they directed me here. Thank you.

    Correct answer Nancy OShea

    It's now 2020.  As an update, CS3 activation servers are gone.  And Adobe ended access to activation-free installers and replacement serial numbers.  Customer Care agents cannot help with this matter.  CS3 is officially dead.

     

    If you never upgrade your computer or OS, you could potentially keep using CS3 for another 12+ years.  But I'm sorry to say that installation is no longer an option.

     

    4 replies

    E
    en1991
    Participant
    March 12, 2020

    Is the new serial number totally offline?

    Can I use it on another machine, when I would like (or have to) to change it?

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 12, 2020

    Support for an activation-free installer and replacement serial number has ended.  Adobe withdrew that page from their servers.  

     

    If you previously obtained them, you could possibly use them on another machine providing it has an older OS that can handle legacy CS3. 

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    E
    en1991
    Participant
    March 12, 2020

    Thank you for the answer. You mean more like Win7 than Win10?

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 2, 2020

    It's now 2020.  As an update, CS3 activation servers are gone.  And Adobe ended access to activation-free installers and replacement serial numbers.  Customer Care agents cannot help with this matter.  CS3 is officially dead.

     

    If you never upgrade your computer or OS, you could potentially keep using CS3 for another 12+ years.  But I'm sorry to say that installation is no longer an option.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    L
    ludekvlk
    Participant
    January 6, 2020

    Hello, how is that possible? We officially purchased the licence and as the owner of the licence we have rights to use it. I presumme the termination of activation presents illegal steps, because we paid for the product which we actually cannot use. 

      A
      A HHH
      Participant
      January 6, 2020
      You are in good company: Adobe charged my Mastercard twice - but
      I had never ordered it as it never ran last year.
      Hein, Berlin
      M
      mart3473
      Participant
      December 11, 2019

      Does the activation link still work?  I didn't see CS3 anywhere on the page.

      @mj
      Community Expert
      @mjCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 14, 2017

      You may find this link helpful.

      Activation or connection error when starting CS3 or Acrobat 8

      HTH

      nathanaelm68873810
      nathanaelm68873810Author
      Participant
      August 14, 2017

      Yea I've looked there and my company is holding off buying anything until it is determined that Adobe will not activate the product as the user doesn't need anything fancy or much at all. The older programs are enough to do what he needs. Thank you though.

      K
      kporlando
      Participating Frequently
      August 15, 2017

      It sounds as if the Cleanup Tool is not removing your old serial number. As an experiment try this. In the Windows 10 File Manager go to 'view' and check  the 'Hidden Items' box like below.

      Uninstall CS3 from the Control Panel again and then run the Cleanup tool once more. Restart the PC.

      Now navigate to the folder C:\ProgramData\regid.1986-12.com.adobe. It's possible there may also be other regid folders present, but I only have Creative Cloud and Acrobat so cannot test that. If  '\regid.1986-12.com.adobe' is there it will contain some very oddly named files. With Creative Cloud mine is 'regid.1986-12.com.adobe_CreativeCloud-CS6-Win-GM-MUL.swidtag' , but you would be looking for one with CS3 in the title. These are basically XML file and contain the product serial number. Copy these files to the desktop and change the suffix from .swidtag to .txt and open in a text editor like Wordpad.  Towards the bottom of the XML you may find a tag <swid:serial_number> If it contains your old serial then remove the original file from C:\ProgramData\regid.1986-12.com.adobe to a safe location and retry the CS3 installation process. I have no evidence this will work as the serial may also be hidden in an encrypted form somewhere else, but it might be worth trying.


      Terri:

      Thanks.

      I always run with so that I can see hidden files.  I looked and the only regid folder I have under Program Data is for Microsoft.  I did have an Adobe folder under Program Data, but it does not appear to have any association with CS3.

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