Can't Erase Authorization in ADE

[DriverEight1]

I am getting 'Error! Check Authorization'.  When I select 'Erase Authorization' from the Help drop-down, it shows my Adobe ID and wants the password.  I enter the password, hit 'Continue' and it acts like it doesn't like the password.  I can log into Adobe.com, change my password, and come back to ADE, same thing.  I have uninstalled ADE, cleared cookies, cache, etc., restarted the computer, and re-installed ADE.  It shows up already authorized and gives the same error message.  It still won't let me Erase Authorization.  Please help.

[DriverEight1]

This just fixed mine.  Logged in for updates and this was the first thing it went to.

Correct Answerby cselhost on Dec 8, 2015 10:47 AM

Your authorization file will need to be manually deleted.

You need to delete out a few registry keys to clear the activation for ADE. You must have administration authority.

On Windows it can be found here:
Open Windows Registry by using the command prompt and typing 'regedit' or by opening the start menu and searching for 'regedit'.

Search for the following folder:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adept\Activation

The 'Activation' folder can be entirely deleted.

On Mac it can be found here:
In Finder, find the 'Go' option on the menu bar and click 'Go to folder' and type the following in:

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Digital Editions/

Delete the activation.dat file within the 'Digital Editions' folder.

Restart ADE and it should be deactivated at this point. You should be good to sign back in.

[Holger001]

This helped me with my Authorisation issue. Thanks for that.

I don't get why the publishers stick with ADE. They should make their own DRM program, since Adobe doesn't give a damn. Buy a book on Amazon, no Problem, buy it on iBooks, no problem, buy a ADE, DRM protectet book, lots of various problem and nobody cares.

I like, buying my ebooks in little shops, but if keep having issues with  ADE every time i buy a book, even i start to think of using Amazon or iBooks.

[leahe44823022]

Thank you for this. The Adobe support people were no help at all.

[lize37942663]

Thank you, this worked. Adobe support is a joke!

[aarons49848565]

Thank you!!!. I have been struggling with this for months!!!!!!!!!

[Ritergeek]

In Windows 10, I had to also delete the activation key from C:\\Users\AppData\Roamng\Adobe\Adept. That deauthorized the computer.

[terencer47639944]

Tried all, still not able deaothorise. Books will not open! any further thoughts.?

[atifj27156975]

Sir,

Can you help me. i have reached limited no. of sign-in devices  but i un-install the old windows where i logged in.

so, now i using only two active devices and limit is 6.

[MadRecluse]

Thank you, DE1

This worked!!  I'm so relieved to find excellent help here on this site.

(It's unfortunate the telephone customer service rep did not know how to help me.)

[cjj2000]

Worked for me too.

Thanks very much for such a simple solution.

(I had been on Adobe chat for ages to no avail!)

[sarbear1234]

Plz help!! 
I have tried following these steps multiple times but cannot find any files called "digital editions" after getting to the "Adobe" folder 😩

I've even tried deleting and re downloading adobe digital editions to my computer. 

I have an Ebook that I really need for my classroom, but can't access. 

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Adobe tech support is useless. 

[KralleHultberg]

Thank you! This worked for me. 

[kmerc]

Thank you so much for this. My previously authorized Kobo all of a sudden wouldn't download books from my Macbook Pro. I deauthorized the Kobo and tried to authorize it again and kept getting the message E_ADEPT_USER_UNKNOWN. I then was unable to erase the authorization on my MAC. Adobe was no help at all. This erased my MAC authorization and when I authorized it again, I was able to authorize my Kobo as well. 

[Simone5CCD]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This worked!

I read so many different ways of how to "fix" this problem and this solution was the only one that worked!

[Nahir5E84]

Thank you!! 

[EurekaJanet]

Thank you so much for posting this.  It worked for me too!  I couldnt tell you how many hours I have spent trying to be able to move the books that I have downloaded from the library to my Nook.  Finally....a solution!

[hunterwoman]

I'm not finding any such file or any DigitalEditions folder. Is there anywhere else to look?

[Sandie32557116eldp]

Thank you, I have just found your help in 2023 and it worked. Much appreciate you helping others

[herminias4759569]

Help! 

I tried to follow your instructions but the command ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Digital Editions/ did not function. Could I have deleted some data without knowing? I also tried to find the activation.dat file and nothing. 

is there any other way? 

[default23j6kny3qrjh]

I know many others have been successful using my instructions.
Unfortunately, it has been quite a while, and I have no other information
how to help you. Good luck.

[marvinwus]

Not only did this fix this problem, I can  download e-books from the  library again.

[caprycet81894536]

A MILLION THANK YOU'S ! ❤️

[Guest]

Is there any way to manage device authorizations if a person doesn't have a PC or Mac. I only own a Chromebook and a smartphone, and a eReader device. Thank you for any assistance.

[Ritergeek]

You should be able to use the Overdrive app that's available in the Google app store. Library downloads require it, and you can probably add epub books from other vendors. If you have a DRM free book I'm sold on PocketBook reader or Moon reader for Android and Chrome devices.