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“How Many Computers Can You Install or Run Adobe Software On?”
How Many Systems Can You Use Adobe Products (CC, CS6) On?
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Hello Adobe
I downloaded X to my desktop (and validated it) and want to load it onto my laptop…do I do that via the trial version and use my original validation code?
Thanks
DF
Yes, that’s right David – you just transfer and run the same download file(s) to your second computer to install it there – either that or use the discs if that’s what you have instead.
Then you enter your same serial number key to extend your product licensing to the second system – and you should be good.
Does that work the same way with the student license?
I own creative suite standard student edition cs5 that I have installed on my desktop computer back home in Norway. I will be traveling to USA and stay there for 9 months this year, and I am planning to buy a laptop while am there.
Could i just take with me the cd and serial code to install the creative suite standard programs on my new laptop?
Yes Martin, it works the same for the Adobe Student & Teacher Editions, and you should be able to install your current software on your second computer.
Ok, reading through all of this, didn’t really answer my question… and here’s my question. Because I have the Multi-Dics. I have both the Mac and Windows version of the Master Collection CS6 Student and Teacher version. I have 2 Mac computers and one Windows. Does that mean I have 2 computers per operating system, or 2 computers period?
It’s two computers period.
There are some ways you can run CS6 on both Windows and Mac OS though.
@ ProDesignTools
Thanks that worked..
DF
Great David, glad to hear it worked out – and thanks for letting us know.
Hello Adobe!
I have a copy of Photoshop Elements 9. I put it on my laptop and also my dad’s computer. But the catch is, my laptop’s hard drive crashed. So I got a new hard drive for it and was going to put PSE 9 back on, but now it won’t let me since I’ve already put it on two computers! Is there anything I can do to get it onto my laptop’s new disk drive now?
Thanks,
Genna
Hey there Genna, sorry you lost the disk. Normally you can just move the Adobe activation from one system to another, but as you’ve discovered that’s not possible if your drive has crashed…
So in that case, you just need to follow the recommendation here and that should help. Good luck with it!
Hello Adobe
I have two personal desktops and two laptops.
Recently I bought CS6 student version and it seems like I can only install it to 2 of my computers..?
Does that mean I need to pay another 350 bucks to get a new license?
(I remember I could install CS4 to three of my computers when I bought it)
Thanks, Jina
Yes, that’s right Jina – you can install the Adobe software on up to two systems maximum, so long as you don’t run or use them at the same time.
It was the same way previously, with CS5, CS4, etc.
Question: I have full (not upgrade) copies of CS4 and CS6. Both academic versions. I know I can run 2 computers per license. As I have two versions, can I run computer A and computer B on CS4 and computer C and computer D on CS6? Is it true that I can’t transfer the CS4 license to a student?
Good questions Patricia… Yes, you can install and activate each of your full versions on two different sets of computers.
(Though if one of them was an upgrade version, then you would have to have them on the same two computers.)
On your second question – yes, it’s true that Adobe’s student editions are non-transferrable.
Hello?
How many computers can I install the Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Flash Professional, once I’ve bought them?
Secondly, once I’ve got some Adobe Software installed on a separate virtual machine, what thing to do, if it asks me for some serial codes? Is it enough to choose the upgrade option or to buy the full version?
Thanks in advance
Hello Vik, you can install your programs on up to two computers, as outlined in the article.
If you want to install on additional systems, take a look at an Adobe volume license for more flexibility.
Or, if you want to buy more regular licenses instead, you would need to choose full versions. That’s because you can only run the upgrade versions on the same machines as your earlier releases that you upgraded from. So since you want more than two systems total, you’d need to purchase new full versions.
Question: I installed the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection onto my laptop. If I upgrade my same laptop to Windows 8, could I still install the same Master Collection wth the same license key again?
Yes Stephen, you should be able to do that – see:
How to Move or Upgrade Adobe Software Between Computers
I just got the student edition of CS6, but before I install it I have a question. If something should happen to my computer, say it gets stolen, lost, damaged, or I upgrade in a few years, will I be able to transfer the student edition of CS6 to the a new computer – and if so, how?
Absolutely you should be able to do all of those Jake… For how, please see the reply just above your comment – thanks.
I was wondering how long the “2 computer” limit holds on older versions of Adobe. I don’t have $1800 to purchase the full suite of the new CS6 and wondering if I could install an older version CS4 onto the new MAC without worrying about fines and such. The CS4 has been installed on two computers already, but it is so old I was wondering if there is an expiration date on the “2 computer” limit? (especially since they don’t make the older versions anymore!). Thanks for any info on this.
Hi Mary, there is no expiration for how many computers you can run your older versions on. The limits of each release are based upon the EULA that was issued and agreed to at the time the software was released, for whichever product you have – so that won’t change retroactively.
In other words, for your CS4 (or CS5, CS5.5, etc) you can count on the rule of up to two activated computers for as long as you own it.
Thanks! I just wish they would allow at least “3” computers for “families”. I’m giving my old MAC to my son; and I just bought a new MAC. We just spent $3,000 on the brand new MAC, now we have to spend $1800 more to get 1 more copy of the Adobe suite? I wish there was some type of family plan. Or a discount if you buy a new MAC. Any ideas? Thanks!
Sure Mary, glad to help. If you need more seats or users, you can look into an Adobe Volume License, which is the same price but offers some other benefits…
Other than that, your only real options outside of purchasing another full retail copy would be to either switch around activations or consider the lower monthly expense of a Creative Cloud membership.
The license says that you can install Photoshop CS6 on two computers, but you cannot use them simultaneously. Does the program have an actual mechanism that detects when this is occurring that locks you out from loading Photoshop on the second computer while it is running on the first, or is this just legal jargon added to the EULA with no active enforcement?
Hey there Christopher, that question was previously asked and answered here.
I have CS5.5 installed on two different computers at work. They do run the software at the same time. Is it that CS6 WON’T run two simultaneously or that you SHOULDN’T run them simultaneously?
Hello Bill, that was also covered in a previous discussion here.
So what if there is a volume license for 10 Macs… Then there are 2 Mac laptops in addition to the 10 Macs… Can a mobile license agreement be applied to the 2 laptops? Rather, primary workstation is running CS6 premium (under volume license), can that user run that volume license on the laptop too, without buying an 11th seat?
Yes, the Adobe volume licenses work similarly to the regular ones – the same user of a single seat can switch between a desktop installation and a second laptop installation, with some restrictions… Learn more details here:
How to Run Multiple User or Computer Licenses for Adobe Software
Okay… next question. What if the said laptops are personal machines (not purchased by the said employer) but the CS6 that is installed on the personal laptops will be used for production of the said employer and NOTHING else?
Well if you see section 2.1.4 of the Adobe EULA, part of it states:
“Restrictions on Secondary Use by Volume Licensees: If the Software was obtained under an Adobe volume license program … then the second copy of the Software … must be used solely for the benefit and business of that volume licensee …”
Notice that the terms don’t state anything in particular about who must own the machines in use, but this is a case where you may want to confirm with Adobe Customer Service to be sure.
My sister is a photographer and I am a videographer. We live in different states. We want to share CS6 — she would take Photoshop etc and I would take and use After Effects. Obviously they’d be installed on two different computers (both Macs). Will we be able to do this?
Sorry, you can’t do that – as described above, the second copy of the software must be for your own exclusive use and not in use at the same time as your first installation… This goes for any individual applications within an Adobe suite, as they all run under your same license with a single serial number.
If you or she is a student or teacher (or could become one), then you might be able to reduce your costs that way:
How to Save 75% with New Adobe CS6 Education Editions
Sorry if this has been asked before, but I purchased Dreamweaver CS5.5 for my desktop, and wanted to add it to my laptop. Every place I look only has a download for CS6. I’m assuming my current license is only for CS5.5, so is there a place to go and download previous versions so it is in agreement with your existing license?
Hi Gary, you should still have your product download available via your online Adobe account. Or if instead you purchased a box and disc, you would use that of course…
If for some reason you no longer have access to either of those, you can easily download a free trial for the product and version you have, and then activate it permanently with your purchased serial number. See this guide for more help:
How to Move or Re-install Adobe Software on a Different Computer
I was just wondering (out of curiosity)… how does Adobe know if you are running both installs of CS6 Ext Student Edition at the same time? Does the software load and connect to Adobe servers or something?
Greetings Jason, you wouldn’t be the first to wonder about the inner workings of Adobe’s software activation… And in fact that question was asked and answered here many moons ago.
Thanks for your comment.
In case I change the computer where I installed the program, will I be able to install it on a new computer without counting as the second computer? I’m guessing if I uninstall the program in the first one, but I just want to make sure if it is possible.
Yes, you should be able to Melissa – please see:
How to Move or Reinstall Adobe Programs to a Different Computer
I purchased an Education Edition of Adobe CS6 for my daughter and installed it in our famiily computer at home. However, when I want to register it online, it keeps telling me that I’ve installed it on 2 other PCs and asking me to deactivate one of them before I can continue to activate the current installation.
I have not installed it in any other PCs. Have removed the software from the PC once and re-installed but the same thing happens. What did I do wrong?
Thx
Welcome Andrew, is it possible that anyone else had access to your product serial number?
Whatever the case, really the only thing you can do is contact Adobe Customer Service and ask them to reset all the activations they have for your license key… Then you will restart with a fresh clean slate and can reactivate the software wherever you like. Note that you don’t need to uninstall or reinstall, just Activate from the program’s Help menu when you start it.
Hope this helps!
It worked! Thanks. I got onto the chat support and managed to get it reset.
Thx!
Hey that’s great Andrew, glad it worked out as we described – and thanks for circling back to let us know!
I have purchased the CS6 and read the License agreement. But one section I have a question on is how many computers I can install the software. On section 2.1.3 says I MAY install a second copy to another computer. I read this as giving me the OK to install the software to another computer but do not use them at the same time. Nowhere states 2 installs only or 2 PCs install. AND, it would have been helpful if Adobe stated ON THEIR BOX to READ license agreement for limitations and usage. The majority of the time people will not read the license agreement and will check of the box instantly and proceed with the install.
Welcome Pat, the license agreement is rather lengthy and it’s common practice in the software industry to present it at the time of initial installation – that’s the way it usually works for pretty much any program from any provider at any price (including free)…
Adobe does state that if you don’t agree to the licensing terms then don’t proceed or use the product, and they offer a 30-day money-back full refund guarantee for anyone who wants to return it.
Regarding the particulars on Adobe’s terms themselves, many customers don’t realize that you can actually put the tools on a second computer (even without simultaneous use), so it could be viewed as a bonus that you can do that.
Hello,
My question is a bit further on this discussion. I have an upgrade of CS2 running on my external hard drive. I have my original Photoshop (PS 6.0) on my desktop as well as my external. The idea was that I wanted to be able to plug my external into my laptop and run it when needed since my laptop had no CD/DVD drive to be able to use the upgrade disk.
However, it says it cannot find my username/serial number when I try loading the program. Is there any way to fully run my CS2 upgrade using my external drive with another computer? Or would I have to install PS 6.0 on any device I use?
I think it’s snobbish of Adobe to be so tight-wadded about their program if you are shelling out good money to be able to use the thing in the first place and they are restricting which permanent place you want to use it on . . .
Hello Suzanne, you can’t actually install your software onto an external disk drive and then portably move it around between computers – it won’t work… You have to decide which two of your machines you want the programs to run on and then install the products completely onto those.
If you need extra disk space then you can use an external drive for storage of some of the installation files, but it will typically be slower and you have to restore the same configuration every time you want to run the programs.
If you don’t have a CD/DVD drive on your laptop, it’s no big deal – just copy the contents of your Adobe disc onto a USB/flash drive or memory key, and then pop that onto your notebook and install from there.
No matter how you proceed, be aware that nothing is truly permanent – you can still change the system(s) that your products are running on to new or different ones.
Lastly, many users here have been happy to hear that Adobe allows you to install on two computers when many other software manufacturers only allow just one. Good luck!
Hi there, my company is looking into installing Acrobat X Pro onto all of the computers using a disc, we were wondering how many computers the same disc can be installed on? Please get back to me ASAP.
Zoe.
Hey there Zoe, you can use the exact same Adobe installation disc as many times as you like, on as many different computers as you want… There is nothing special or unique about the discs.
What is critically important is your purchased license key which you manually enter into each system when installing. If you don’t enter a your unique serial number then your software will not permanently activate – it will instead run in free trial mode for 30 days.
(And typically for a business like yours, the best and easiest way to get multiple seats is to use an Adobe Volume License.)