Participant

Question

why can't I use Photoshop Elements without being signed in?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
December 31, 2018
2 replies
6585 views

I purchased Photoshop elements 2018 when I bought a new computer. I used my redemption code, downloaded the software and entered the serial number for licensing. When I launch Elements it requires that I sign in to adobe. I want to use Photoshop elements offline. Is this possible? Also, when I sign out from Elements I get a message to the affect that I have to be signed in to use trial software but this is not trial software. I have a license and entered the serial number.

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A

albertb1893549

Participant

I've used a very old Photoshop Elements for half a decade, just upgraded to 2021, call me old but I don't like being "signed in" to use software I paid for. I'll use on it occassion. I'm also dumping Lightroom and moving to Capure One, beacause of the subscription business model and the annoying signin thing. Adobe, I loved you for 10 years but the marriage over!

Phil Pickering

Legend

Hi Albert,

You do realise that you have to sign-in to activate the license for Capture One? Just the same as Adobe Photoshop Elements. And if you read the whole of the thread that you've posted to, you'll realise that you don't have to be connected to the Internet after you've initially activated your license either.

Also, Capture One's perpetual licence is 3 times more expensive than Adobe Photoshop Elements and their monthly subscription model is twice as more expensive than Adobe's Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

So what you've posted is a bit like saying I don't like having to put gas into my Ford all the while, so I'm going to buy a Ferrari instead.

Note I'm not knocking Capture One, just your logic 🙂

MichelBParis

Legend

Sorry I just want to keep my photos and Adobe Photoshop 2022 on a new computer without any internet connection. Are you saying I have to also download Photoshop on another computer, with an internet connection, to log in once? Will the sign in work for both computers?

Sorry I just want to keep my photos and Adobe Photoshop 2022 on a new computer without any internet connection. Are you saying I have to also download Photoshop on another computer, with an internet connection, to log in once? Will the sign in work for both computers?

By @Michele258328402vt1

That's it...

so long as Adobe can check from time to time (something like every month) that the activation link on that second computer is valid. Once that is checked, you can work away from Internet until the next check.

With softwares there is nothing to grant you the 'property' of 'owning' the software. You are buying the license, that is the right to use the software according to specific conditions. With Elements, the main condition is that the licence is granted to a single user, it's 'perpetual', meaning a one time payment, not a subscription. 'perpetual' does not mean that Adobe has to 'upgrade' the software to conform to new hardware or Operating system chages or to correct bugs or to introduce new features. So, a perpetual licence becomes obsolete rapidly on account of those external factors.

To be realistic, Adobe considers that so long as you are the single user of the license, the program can be installed on several computers at the same time. Two of them can be activated at the same time, provided only once is used at the same time. This means that you can work indifferently from two computers, for instance in two different locations, or with a desktop and a mobile laptop.

If the limitation to two activations did not exist, you could install the software into several, even hundreds of computers without Adobe being able to control the license. Do you really believe many customers would buy the license?

Edit,

If you need to use a third computer, the logical solution is to 'deactivate' or 'sign out' of one of the two activitated computers, so that you can 'sign in' again on the third one with your license number.

The right to have two activated computers also protects you if one of your computers is stolen or broken.

If both computers are no longer available, you can't deactivate them yourself, but the Adobe help desk can deactivate them for you.

99jon

Legend

Sign-in and sign-out is simply the method of activation. You should always stay signed-in. You only need to sign-out if using the software on more than two computers and wish to activate on a third.

The software is always available off-line with the exception of downloading some graphics or frames for the first time.

pauld22297204Author

Participant

If I sign out, when I launch Photoshop Elements it requires me to sign in to adobe online. From the menu under "help" when I sign out and relaunch it requires entry of the license serial number and sign in to adobe account. Why do I have to sign in to adobe to use Photoshop Elements

99jon

Legend

You need to be on-line one time only for activation. Then stay signed-in.

If you sign-out you are deactivating the software.

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