question about downloading CS2

[lena_kikanel]

Hello, I read that Photoshop CS2 is provided to download for free from Adobe. Is this true? Where can I find it for download from a confidental homepage? Even from Adob directly?
Thank you for the support

[John Waller]

You must have got this info from a very old (ancient) source.

It was true for a period many years ago but no longer. CS, CS2, CS3 and CS4 have been dead versions for years.

I assume you're on a Mac running a recent macOS. Even if you could find a CS2 installer, it will not install on any version of macOS after Catalina due to changes which Apple made to its operating system

If you're looking for something affordable and non-subscription, try Photoshop Elements.

[AxelMatt]

Hello, I read that Photoshop CS2 is provided to download for free from Adobe. Is this true? 

By @lena_kikanel

This free version of CS2 was available for a short time in the past. However, these versions have been taken off the internet for several years now.

If you like to use Photoshop you have to buy a subscription, like the Photographer Plan.

Adobe Creative Cloud | Details and products | Adobe

Otherwise you can goto Photoshop Elements as @John Waller wrote.

[Retune]

Third party websites advertised this version as 'free', but Adobe said that it was only intended for customers who already had a licence. It replaced the original installers that no longer worked because Adobe had switched off the activation servers. Even if you were to find a copy today (Adobe no longer provide it) and had a compatible system (no recent Mac will work), you would need a licence to use it. You can't buy a CS2 (or any CS) licence from Adobe, though it is possible to transfer one formally from a legitimate licence holder.

[AxelMatt]

...  though it is possible to transfer one formally from a legitimate licence holder.

By @Retune

This is useless because the license can no longer be activated. The corresponding servers at Adobe were shut down years ago.

[Retune]

I know that activation of CS2 from the original installers is no longer available - see my post above. However, I don't believe that's the same thing as invalidating the licence. If someone wishes to sell their copy of CS2 (or CS3) and obtained one of the special activation-free installers from Adobe in the period when they were available, then I see no reason why they shouldn't (a) formally transfer their licence to the purchaser, and (b) provide the purchaser with their copy of the special activation-free installer (just as they would have provided them with the original installer if it still worked). But I am not a lawyer.