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How Many Systems Can You Use Adobe Products (CC, CS6) On?

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How Many Computers Can You Install or Run Adobe Software On?

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770 thoughts on “How Many Systems Can You Use Adobe Products (CC, CS6) On?”

  1. So two computers and that’s it. It doesn’t matter if I buy a new computer and install the software on my brand new computer? It won’t work?

    Reply
    • Hi Gabriel, if you get a new computer and you already have your software installed on two machines, then you would need to transfer an existing installation from one of your old computers to activate your new system.

      In other words, yes – using the software on two machines is the limit per purchased product, but obviously this is better than just one computer per license which is often the case elsewhere.

  2. YAY! “transfer an existing installation”… Thank you so much ProDesign. That really sets my mind at ease now. Thanks for the quick and informative answer!

    Reply
  3. Hi,
    My husband and I are both photographers and have two separate copies of LR4 running on two different laptops. We are considering buying a desktop to share. Can we run two two totally separate copies of LR4 on the one desktop? We have different ways of organizing things and process images at the same time so we each have our own copy of LR4.

    Thank You

    Reply
    • Welcome Judy, you can have different releases of Lightroom on the same computer (like LR3 and LR4 together), but you can’t have two copies of the same version… The same would go for CS6 applications like Photoshop, etc.

      You may however be able to accomplish what you want by creating and using two entirely different Windows user account logins for yourself and your husband, but both using the same core Lightroom product installed on your system.

      Hope this helps!

  4. Hi. I have an iMac (2006 version), which has recently become very tough to do anything with my CS5 Web Premium Student Edition (keeps on freezing on me etc…), but this is not a rant about my old mac, this is a query. We have decided to up the RAM on the Mac, and completely wipe and only install the programs I regularly use, CS5 included.

    Since I only have the student edition, can I reinstall the program on my own computer, not a different one, the same old one with some more RAM and a reinstall of the OSX?

    Reply
  5. Thanks!

    I can’t afford to buy Photoshop, but I was thinking of splitting the cost of the Creative Suite with someone, then they can use just the programs they want and I can use just the programs I want.

    Since each program would never be in use at the same time, would this work? Or would it not since the same Creative Suite is being used?

    Would this even be allowed?

    Reply
  6. Can I install PS CS6 as an upgrade on a new computer (has no previous version of Photoshop installed) and then continue to run CS5 on a laptop and another desktop computer?

    Reply
    • Yes Mary, you can definitely install an Adobe upgrade on a new system without having the earlier version on there… The program will just ask you to enter the serial number for your prior release manually.

      The question then is, what can you do with your old version once your new version is installed? The answer per Adobe’s licensing agreement is, you can run it on the same two computers as your new version.

  7. OK, so how does Adobe know if I’m using the two copies of the software on both computers at the same time?

    Does CS6 require an internet connection to run? Does CS6 “phone home” each time it starts up and shuts down?

    Can I use CS6 if my internet is down or if I am in a car/train/plane with no internet access? I’m guessing “Creative Cloud” requires a constant internet connection, but I am hoping the boxed applications dont…

    Reply
  8. Wait a second… If I have CS6 installed on my laptop, do I need an internet connection in order to start run and use the program? Let’s say I’m on the bus (no wifi) going to work and want to use Photoshop. Will the program start and run and allow me to save without an internet connection?

    Reply
  9. Thanks for the replies. My problem is that due to an extension I am required to use that I cannot run CS6 and Adobe will only sell me CS6. So I had to purchase CS5.5. I have been in contact with Adobe about and they’ve said that the code is legitimate. Whether it is OK to re-sell or otherwise I am not sure but the code works fine.

    I’m simply looking to know if Adobe actively tracks “simultaneous use.”

    Reply
  10. I am a student using Adobe CS5 Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash. Can I extend my trials? Can I get the CS6 Design and Web premium trial after my individual trials expire?

    Can my computer support CS6 Design and Web Premium? I would like to purchase the CS6 Design and Web Premium for my own personal use once I have gained a little more experience,

    Reply
  11. Years back I bought CS5 for my personal laptop. But recently at work I use company’s CS6 Cloud subscription. I want to use the CS6 business copy on my laptop to work at home sometimes.

    Will this in any way mess up my personal CS5? And what if I want to upgrade to CS6 myself because in the future I no longer work for that company, do I use the same CS6 install but log in with my own credentials?

    Reply
  12. Hello,

    I read in the messages here that CS6 can only be on two computers. We just found when we wanted to install on another computer.

    My wife uses 3 computers : Only my wife works with the software, but she has a Mac in her home-office, another one in her shop, and a portable for when she visits customers …

    What is the best solution here, without having to purchase another full license ?

    Reply
  13. Hi ..
    My Question is this .. I’m about to set-up a small post-production house for both media and animation.
    I’d like to know what software I should be getting ..

    I’m looking at After Effects CS6, Production Premium CS6, Creative Suite 6 .. also I was thinking Flash Pro CS6 … What’s the difference between all of them and can I get them all in a bundle ??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Welcome Steve, first take a look at the Creative Suite 6 Product Matrix, which will show what’s available for CS6 and the differences. The individual tools you’ll want are probably Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition for video/audio/media production, plus Illustrator, Flash Pro, and Photoshop for graphics and animation.

      Yes, there is one suite (bundle) which contains all of those tools, it’s CS6 Production Premium.

      The CS6 Master Collection suite also contains them all, plus others like Dreamweaver (websites), Acrobat (PDF), and InDesign (documents).

      Your final option would be to go with the Creative Cloud, which contains all of the above plus more and is available for an affordable monthly rate, and is always up to date with the latest releases (free upgrades and updates).

      For more help on making this choice, see our guide for how to decide between Adobe CS6 vs. Creative Cloud.

      And definitely don’t miss the free download of the new Edge Animate tool for creating interactive and animated web content in HTML5 – it costs nothing, completely free to download and use!

      Hope this helps and if you have further questions then just post back.

  14. Hey Guys,

    Thanks for getting back and this covered my question(s) 100% … I’ll be taking a real look at the CS6 Production Premium very soon ..

    I’ll also take a look at the new Edge Animate tool

    Cheers,
    Steve

    Reply
  15. Hey there,

    Sorry, I realize this seems to be the same sort of questions but I just wanted to clarify a point.

    So if I have CS6 on two of my own systems, the idea is I can’t use them both at the same time, right? But if after activating the license on my second system I then just keep it disconnected from the Internet, should I be able to run that and the first system (connected as usual) with no problems?

    Many thanks for taking the time to reply to everyone!

    Reply
  16. I have Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 on my computer as well as OpenOffice.org 3.4. I could not get my Ultimate license right just by one digit missing. Can’t use some features of Microsoft Ultimate. I am not familiar with OpenOffice, I have just put Microsoft 2003 on my computer. I want to know which one should I delete.

    I have the Adobe CS5 Dreamweaver, Flash and Photoshop trials. All of the Adobe programs have expired. I would l like to use CS6. What should I delete?

    I am using Adobe products as a student. I am thinking about purchasing the Adobe CS6. I have a boxed CS3, which I have never used on the present computer. Do I delete the trial I can no longer use?

    I know I need space. What should I delete. I am still trying to learn the Adobe programs.

    Reply
    • Greetings Linda, if you’re able to run a version of Microsoft Office then you probably don’t need OpenOffice.

      If you have expired CS5 trials on your computer, then definitely take those off (you can’t buy them anymore) – and install the free CS6 trials instead.

      Since you’re a student you can get all Adobe products at up to 70% off the regular prices, including the Creative Cloud for 60%-70% off.

      (Note you won’t have to reinstall any of the CS6 trials after you make your purchase; you can just activate them with your Adobe login or serial number.)

      Finally, for help in learning the Adobe programs, see these great (and free) training resources from on our “Greatest Hits” page.

  17. Just to be clear, I want to buy the CS6 Student & Teacher Standard edition, and if I put it on my laptop now, I will have a second license available to put on a new desktop in say, a year, right? The only issue I would have is I couldn’t run both copies at the same time. And if that doesn’t work, I can just move the software activation to my new computer? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Yes, that’s exactly right on all counts… You can have the software on in up to two machines (now or later), and/or transfer one of your activations between systems.

  18. I recently upgraded my desktop computer’s processor and now Photoshop CS6 Extended won’t activate the software without suspending activation on my laptop first. Message states that it is already activated on two computers. How can I reactivate on my desktop?

    Reply
    • Hi Kell, since you changed the system CPU, the machine’s profile or fingerprint is different so the software sees it as a new machine… But all you have to do is contact Adobe Customer Service (live online chat is usually fastest & easiest) and ask them to reset all your product activations to zero, and then you can reactivate the program on your two computers again.

  19. Was the first sentence a joke? It says the answer may “pleasantly surprise” me, but it does the opposite.

    News flash: Two computers is extremely limiting in this modern day and age. The average household of a designer or editing enthusiast tends to have closer to a dozen, with at least half of those used often, with a new one bought every few years.

    A 2 installation limit is a big rip-off for the price, and considering that software from other companies, and indeed older versions of Photoshop, like Photoshop 7, can be installed an unlimited number of times.

    Reply
  20. Hm, just read that activations can be transferred … if that’s the case, that’s better, but I think Adobe should consider making activation resets a more streamlined process than requiring someone else to do it for you. Plus 2 computers is still very limited even if activations can be transferred. 3 or 4 would have made much more sense.

    Reply
    • Hello Shiz, thank you for your thoughts. Here’s what you should know:

      1. Yes, absolutely the activations can be moved between computers as needed.

      2. This has always been single-user licensed software, although there are group versions available.

      3. Many (if not most) customers don’t realize they are able to install CS even on a second machine.

      4. So yes, this is very good news to those folks.

      5. Photoshop 7 is 11 years old now, long before the modern licensing activation came into being.

      6. Needing an activation reset is rare with Creative Suite, but Creative Cloud makes it no longer necessary at all – it’s now automatic.

      7. With Creative Cloud the two license activations can be dual-platform, meaning you can run it on both PC/Windows and Mac OS.

      8. If affordability of CS is an issue, consider the Cloud which starts at $19 a month for students.

      Hope this helps.

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