Error message: Serial number is expired or an illegal distributed version

[Ole22756787cha4]

My Photoshop Elements 2018 asked for an update, but the update failed and I received an error message: "Your serial number is expired - or has been illegally distributed".

My version was bought by myself at an authorized dealer in 2017, so it is definitely NOT illegally distributed. It has worked well on the same computer since the purchase.

I wonder if a serial number can expire, as I have bought the right to use the software as long as I like. It has not been bought as a software with a yearly payment.

Can anyone help to clear up the mystery?

[Glenn 8675309]

Who or what site was the authorized dealer? 

Go here, scroll down to the bottom click on the START NOW (it's blue text) below the chat icon:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install.html

[Ole22756787cha4]

I have tried this page several times, but the "Start now" does not lead to any 'real help from real people' or any place for assistance.

[Peru Bob]

Did you purchase an educational version?

[Ole22756787cha4]

No, it is a normal verion for private use.

[Glenn 8675309]

Who or what site was the authorized dealer? 

[Ole22756787cha4]

Bought at Dustin Denmark, part of the Dustin Group https://www.dustingroup.com/en

[Peru Bob]

They do appear to be an authorized reseller:

https://adobedealreg.secure.force.com/PartnerSearch?lang=en

You might try contacting them to see if they have a solution:

kundeservice@dustin.dk

[Glenn 8675309]

wow!  That's a pretty awesome link, thanks for posting it!

[Greg_S.]

I don't know whether this article is relevant, but it may be.

[Ole22756787cha4]

I have received a useful explanation of the reason to the problem from Adobe Systems Incorporated <**scam email address**>:

"We would like to inform you that Photoshop Elements 2018 is no longer available and supported with Windows 10 64 Bit and Secondly Photoshop Elements 2018 servers have been shut down".

So this is why the update leads to an error message. I can update to the 2022 version or I can just continue with my 2018 version and cancel the update, which is Photoshop Camera Raw 10.3.

Thanks to all for your contributions.

[Ole22756787cha4]

The e-mail address is: **scam email address** [add] outlook.com

[Greg_S.]

@Ole22756787cha4, it's not clear from your message whether you understand that the message you apparently received from a scam email address is totally bogus.  (I don't know whether it was you or a moderator who perhaps modified your post to remove the scam address.)

In any event, Adobe has not shut down any servers that are used to authenticate legitimate serial numbers.  However, because of some security issues with some older browsers, it may be necessary to install the Creative Cloud desktop application on your computer to allow the licensing to be completed.  The Creative Cloud application is free to download and you don't need to purchase anything in order for older licensed versions of Elements to be installed and activated.

[Ole22756787cha4]

The expression **scam email address** is something, that this community forum automatically replaces the entire or the first part of the e-mail addres with, when I try to write the e-mail addres of the Adobe support. I received the above message (referred in italics) from an official Adobe help desk. The explanaltion given makes sense to me.

[Peru Bob]

Was the email from an outlook.com email address?

[Test Screen Name]

Yes, it is a bogus email. The information in the email is a lie. The senders are fake. The email address is a fake, and they want you to give them your credit card number, or access to your computer. If you do this, worse troubles will be starting.