Adobe CS Activation: Difference between revisions

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~~=Adobe Creative Suite Activation Server Shutdown=~~

[[File:Adobe Creative Suite support page mentioning the shut down of the activation servers for many of its older versions..png|thumb|The Adobe Creative Suite (CS) Support Page Stating The Shutdown of Activation Servers]]Adobe Creative Suite (CS) was a software collection released from 2003 to 2013, when Adobe replaced it with Creative Cloud (CC). The suite went through several major versions:

*CS (2003)

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*CS6 (2012)

==The Activation System==

==Background: The Activation System==

When Adobe introduced the creative suite in 2003, Adobe implemented a new online activation system that wasn't present in Adobe's previous products. This system required users to connect to Adobe's servers to verify their serial number before the software could be used.

==Server Shutdown and Impact==

==Adobe Creative Suite Activation Server Shutdown and Impact==

===Technical Issue===

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===Non-existant solution:===

Nancy OShea, a 'Community Expert' and Moderator on the Adobe forums, has made the following reference to a method to obtain a new CS3 installer that does not require activation:<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/td-p/9689902</ref><blockquote>The correct answer below describes how to obtain a new CS3 installer, a new serial number that does not require activation and the procedures necessary to make it work. Read them carefully.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/m-p/9689903#M136927</ref>

Nancy OShea, a 'Community Expert' and Moderator on the Adobe forums, has made the following reference to a method to obtain a new CS3 installer that does not require activation:<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/td-p/9689902</ref><blockquote>The correct answer below describes how to obtain a new CS3 installer, a new serial number that does not require activation and the procedures necessary to make it work. Read them carefully.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/m-p/9689903#M136927</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Aug 2014 |title=Re-activating CS3 |url=https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204085848/https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 |archive-date=4 Dec 2014 |via=Adobe forums}}</ref></blockquote>

~~'''[~~https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 Re-~~activating CS3 (Updated)]'''~~</blockquote>

[[File:Nancy adobe activation servers.png|thumb|Nancy OShea on adobe forums linking to a method to install software after activation servers have been phased out, that does not work.]]

However, the link she provided to ''"Re-activating CS3(Updated)"'' does not work as of February 17th, 2025.

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*CS4

*CS5

In addition Adobe has also shut down the deactivation servers for CS6 which prevents users from reinstalling the software or moving the software to a new device. Adobe support is also no longer able to increase the activation limit or remove activated devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solved: activation-deactivation feature for CS6 - Adobe Product Community - 14593664 |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/activation-deactivation-feature-for-cs6/td-p/14593664 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CS6 activation after successful deactivation fails - Adobe Product Community - 14898105 |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/cs6-activation-after-successful-deactivation-fails/td-p/14898105 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=adobe perpetual license not being honored class action lawsuit : r/Adobe |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Adobe/comments/1cugh7a/adobe_perpetual_license_not_being_honored_class/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Reddit}}</ref>

===Impact on License Owners of Adobe Creative Suite===

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Many users report never receiving this communication, particularly those who didn't register their products when registration was optional. Without registration, adobe had no way of having the contact information of these customers who did not complete an optional registration.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/activation-server-retirement/m-p/11491977</ref>

=== '''Workaround for CS4''' ===

==='''Workaround for CS4'''===

If you still have an prior, duly-activated installation :

If you still have an prior, duly-activated installation:

* Install desired components from CS4. Don't waste time trying to activate.

*Install desired components from CS4. Don't waste time trying to activate.

* Copy the amtlib.dll files from each old install subdirectory to the respective subdirectories in the new install. Everything runs without the aggravation of useless reminders.

*Copy the amtlib.dll files from each old install subdirectory to the respective subdirectories in the new install. Everything runs without the aggravation of useless reminders.

== References ==

==References==

[[Category:Adobe]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Adobe Creative Suite Activation Server Shutdown=
 [[File:Adobe Creative Suite support page mentioning the shut down of the activation servers for many of its older versions..png|thumb|The Adobe Creative Suite (CS) Support Page Stating The Shutdown of Activation Servers]]Adobe Creative Suite (CS) was a software collection released from 2003 to 2013, when Adobe replaced it with Creative Cloud (CC). The suite went through several major versions:
 *CS (2003)
@@ Line 10: / Line 8: @@
 *CS6 (2012)
-==The Activation System==
+==Background: The Activation System==
 When Adobe introduced the creative suite in 2003, Adobe implemented a new online activation system that wasn't present in Adobe's previous products. This system required users to connect to Adobe's servers to verify their serial number before the software could be used.
-==Server Shutdown and Impact==
+==Adobe Creative Suite Activation Server Shutdown and Impact==
 ===Technical Issue===
@@ Line 19: / Line 17: @@
 ===Non-existant solution:===
-Nancy OShea, a 'Community Expert' and Moderator on the Adobe forums, has made the following reference to a method to obtain a new CS3 installer that does not require activation:<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/td-p/9689902</ref><blockquote>The correct answer below describes how to obtain a new CS3 installer, a new serial number that does not require activation and the procedures necessary to make it work.   Read them carefully.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/m-p/9689903#M136927</ref>
+Nancy OShea, a 'Community Expert' and Moderator on the Adobe forums, has made the following reference to a method to obtain a new CS3 installer that does not require activation:<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/td-p/9689902</ref><blockquote>The correct answer below describes how to obtain a new CS3 installer, a new serial number that does not require activation and the procedures necessary to make it work.   Read them carefully.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/download-install-discussions/cs3-activation-branched-from-cs2-activation/m-p/9689903#M136927</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Aug 2014 |title=Re-activating CS3 |url=https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204085848/https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 |archive-date=4 Dec 2014 |via=Adobe forums}}</ref></blockquote>
-'''[https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1545413 Re-activating CS3 (Updated)]'''</blockquote>
 [[File:Nancy adobe activation servers.png|thumb|Nancy OShea on adobe forums linking to a method to install software after activation servers have been phased out, that does not work.]]
 However, the link she provided to ''"Re-activating CS3(Updated)"'' does not work as of February 17th, 2025.
@@ Line 32: / Line 28: @@
 *CS4
 *CS5
+In addition Adobe has also shut down the deactivation servers for CS6 which prevents users from reinstalling the software or moving the software to a new device. Adobe support is also no longer able to increase the activation limit or remove activated devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solved: activation-deactivation feature for CS6 - Adobe Product Community - 14593664 |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/activation-deactivation-feature-for-cs6/td-p/14593664 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CS6 activation after successful deactivation fails - Adobe Product Community - 14898105 |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/cs6-activation-after-successful-deactivation-fails/td-p/14898105 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=adobe perpetual license not being honored class action lawsuit : r/Adobe |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Adobe/comments/1cugh7a/adobe_perpetual_license_not_being_honored_class/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Reddit}}</ref>
 ===Impact on License Owners of Adobe Creative Suite===
@@ Line 44: / Line 41: @@
 Many users report never receiving this communication, particularly those who didn't register their products when registration was optional. Without registration, adobe had no way of having the contact information of these customers who did not complete an optional registration.<ref>https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/activation-server-retirement/m-p/11491977</ref>
-=== '''Workaround for CS4''' ===
+==='''Workaround for CS4'''===
-If you still have an prior, duly-activated installation :
+If you still have an prior, duly-activated installation:
-* Install desired components from CS4. Don't waste time trying to activate.
+*Install desired components from CS4. Don't waste time trying to activate.
-* Copy the amtlib.dll files from each old install subdirectory to the respective subdirectories in the new install. Everything runs without the aggravation of useless reminders.
+*Copy the amtlib.dll files from each old install subdirectory to the respective subdirectories in the new install. Everything runs without the aggravation of useless reminders.
-== References ==
+==References==
 <references />
+[[Category:Adobe]]