Where is the product key in CS2?

[tonys33008462]

Years ago Adobe did a promo on facebook with a free download of its product key for photoshop CS2. I still have it on my computer and it works great for my needs but its time to upgrade the computer and I can't find the product key probably because I copy and pasted it from facebook. How can I find the product key in photoshop that is on my computer now so when I do the reinstall on the new computer I will have it?

[John Waller]

Are you upgrading to a Mac or PC? New Macs cannot run CS2.

The CS2 activation servers were shut down years ago so any key you used in the past will not work now.

Adobe has made available a non-activation version of CS2 for CS2 owners. To re-install you must download the new non-activation version and use the new serial number provided on that page. Your existing serial number will not work.

"Activation server unavailable" error in Adobe CS2, Acrobat 7, and Audition 3

[tonys33008462]

Staying with PC. So it was a temporary gift? When I download the non activation CS2 does it need to be on the old PC with the current CS2? Or, can it be on the new PC that has no CS2 currently installed,

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

I don't know anything about facebook, but a "promotional" free download seems unlikely.

What did happen a while ago was that the CS/CS2 activation servers were shut down for technical reasons. That meant users could no longer reactivate the software if they needed to reinstall.

In order to not leave existing customers out in the cold, a non-activation version was made public, along with a special serial number that didn't require activation. This is still up, see link above.

Note that this is for paying customers who already have a CS/CS2 license. It is not a "free" version - although as old and obsolete as it is, enforcing this is probably not a high priority.

[tonys33008462]

Thanks, probably what we thought was promotional was just Abobe fixing their problem.

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

Thanks, probably what we thought was promotional 

By @tonys33008462

It was widely incorrectly reported as free (not by Adobe) when it was not.

[jane-e]

CS2 was never free. It was only for users who already has a license.

This is an old thread from eight years ago in 2016 that somehow got revived today in 2024. In case someone comes across it in the future, CNET has the story here, although the link may someday be dead:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/adobe-releases-creative-suite-2-for-free/

"CORRECTION, 2:40 p.m. PT: There has been clarification since this story broke. Adobe has not officially released the CS2 software for free. Instead, it has canceled its CS2 license management servers because of a technical glitch, so for those with existing licenses it is now offering downloads that do not require contact with the licensing servers. While Adobe admits this may be seen as it giving its software away for free, this service is intended for those with existing Adobe CS2 licenses."

I've locked this thread. If you have questions about CS2, please start a new thread.

Jane