Where can I see a list of activated devices?

[The One True raywood]

I'm baffled. In my account, Adobe says, "You have no activated devices." But when I try to enter my serial number for a Premiere Elements 2020 installation, it says, "The serial number ... is already in use by the maximum allowed computers." See image.

[John T Smith]

As far as I know that 'activated devices' link is only for subscriptions, not serial number programs

How many other computers have you used PrEl on... and did you DE-activate when you stopped using them?

[Peru Bob]

 John T Smith is correct.

The list of activated devices only refers to subscription plans.

The only way to deactivate an installation is to do it on the computer on which it is installed.

[The One True raywood]

OK, thanks, that explains the seeming contradiction between the "no activated devices" and the claim that I have to deactivate devices.

Machines where I've had it installed. Good question. I think I had it on a computer I sold last year. Wipe the drive, install basic Windows, put it on eBay. There'll be no deactivation of any Adobe products there.

Since it didn't run on Win11, I haven't had much use for it. I'm working now with a Win10 virtual machine. Second try. First one was unstable. Delete the VM and start over. No deactivation possible there either.

I guess you're saying I should have bitten the bullet and switched to DaVinci Resolve some time back. None of this nonsense.

One would think that Adobe, charging hundreds per license, might find a way to maintain a license registry. The situation you describe is remarkable.

If what you're saying is correct, I don't believe I had better buy any more Adobe products. It really was disgusting to see them seize upon each Windows upgrade as an excuse to obviate their own software. This is a step beyond that.

Hopefully there's something incorrect about this. Hopefully Adobe's position is really not this brain-dead. But I assume you guys do know what you're talking about.

[John T Smith]

>find a way to maintain a license registry

Adobe does... and you have discovered that if you do not DE-activate you will 'use up' your allowed activations and the program may no longer be used

[The One True raywood]

Thanks again. I do understand. Adobe does what it can to trip up its users. Game over! Adobe wins! And I switch to a different company.

[John T Smith]

Adobe (and MANY other companies) allows you to activate a program two times (according to a very old message the idea is a desktop and a laptop) and ALL companies with serial number activation keep track to only allow those TWO activations... if the user does not DE-activate a computer install and then tries to activate a 3rd time that will not be allowed... so that 'trip up' is just part of what ALL companies do to ensure the allowed number of activations is not exceeded

[The One True raywood]

No problem with that. But as Adobe has confirmed in a chat, Adobe has no remedy for a person whose laptop is (for example) stolen. The problem is not having a registry. The problem is having a one-way registry: you can register, but you cannot un-register in a variety of real-world situations. It really is Adobe looking for ways to screw its users.

[tammiev34173971]

I am having this same issue. I have a 5.5 DVD copy. I moved my hard drive to a new computer and now it says it is installed on two computers. When I try to deactivate it on the softwate the deactivate is greyed out.

[Peru Bob]

@tammiev34173971 

I'm not aware of a Premiere Elements 5.5 version.

If not Premiere Elements, please tell us which app, as you posted in the Premiere Elements forum.

[John T Smith]

>5.5 DVD copy. I moved my hard drive to a new computer

There was a Premierer Pro version 5.5 - is that what you mean

Moving the drive to a new computer is the same thing as doing an install on that computer... and since it seems you did not DE-activate on the old computer you have now hit the limit