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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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@Staxxx
My apologies. I was able to find both serial numbers. The serial number for the CS5 product off the original box and the serial number for CS6 from My Adobe account by going into the order history information. Thank you.
Yes, exactly right. It’s just that if you already have your older release installed on the same machine, then the upgrade version will search for it and find its serial number automatically… Otherwise, you just have to enter it manually. Glad you got it going!
@ProDesignTools
Thanks for the feedback on the CS6 upgrade from CS5 – so I can’t keep running CS5 on a laptop if I’m running an upgrade version of CS6 on 2 desktops. I am wondering if I’d be better of to use the creative cloud if I’m wanting to get it on that 3rd machine or just what would be the most efficient plan money-wise so I’m in compliance.
Thanks again!
Yes, the Creative Cloud would definitely be one (affordable) option over buying another traditional copy outright for a third computer…
In fact, the CC release actually has a lot more ease and flexibility for moving it between different machines.
@ ProDesignTools
Hello,
When I started the download from the links page provided a few posts ago, the first .exe file downloaded fine. In the middle of downloading the second file (.7Z), I logged into my Adobe account and closed out of my browser. On returning to re-download the file (as the file did not show up in my Downloads folder even in part) I keep getting an error message that access is denied to my server. What should I do please? Is there another direct link that I could use? Thank you for the help.
Very frustrated. Cannot find an alternative site to download the 7Z file for Photoshop CS6 for Windows. This one has come up with Access Denied to this Server, which I see from the comments many users get.
How difficult does Adobe make it for legitimate buyers of the CS6 licence to download a program that they have bought (for a lot of money, I might add).
The executable file downloaded fine, but I accidentally came out of the browser and of course due to this abort the Adobe servers have frozen out my server. It has been six hours, but I understand that this clears up in a day or so? If not, what are my options please? Thank you for your help.
Please remove my earlier posts as I was able to download the program later from another point within the Adobe site.
However, could you please answer one question: What are the pros and cons of downloading both the normal version of CS6 as well as the 64-bit version. Is it better practice to download both? My system is 64-bit and I am wondering why the default is to download both versions rather than a choice based on your system.
If the 32 bit version is not required I suppose I can go to Uninstall a Program and take it off? Thanks.
Hello again Staxxx, Adobe provides both 32-bit and 64-bit versions for many of the CS6 and CC applications, and it’s up to you which you want to install, keep, or run…
If you have a 64-bit system, then using the 64-bit versions will likely work out the best/fastest for you – and the 32-bit versions are not necessary or required (i.e., you can uninstall or not install them).
Hi there! I have a question, I bought a Wacom tablet and it gave me a serial number for Photoshop Elements, and I’m thinking to give away the code to one of my friends, but I can’t decide to who… Is it possible you can use the same serial number more than once?
Thanks.
No Andrea, as you read in the article above it’s one user per license at one time, sorry.
I have the adobe creative suite disc and used it on my laptop. That laptop has a virus on it where I can’t even get to the desktop. I tried starting in safe mode and it froze on me :(
This laptop is around 6 years old, so I am planning to get a new one. If I try to install the creative suite onto my new laptop using the disc, will it work?
Sorry to hear of your difficulties Jessica. Yes, you should be able to install from your (clean) DVD disc onto a second machine. If later you want to reclaim the second product activation that your old (infected) laptop had, then you can contact Adobe Customer Service, give them your serial number, and ask them to reset your license.
I have a question about CS6 vs CC at work. At work I use a PC with CS6 installed but I have begun to travel more. We haven’t purchased a laptop for me because it would require another license of the full suite. Would CC be a good solution for me? We are also concerned about storage space capabilities with the large files created by Adobe products which is why I am not on a laptop with docking station. I have been researching CC and not sure if it is a right fit for business. Please advise. Thank you!
Hi Adrienne, generally laptops these days have quite large disk drives – usually 500 GB or more – so it is unlikely that you will run into any issues with file sizes with Creative Cloud… For example, this new Vizio notebook computer has a 1 TB drive, no problems at all on space.
Further, the Adobe CC project and data file sizes are broadly comparable to those of CS6, and in fact the CC apps can save back down (export) to CS6 format as needed for interoperability.
As mentioned in the article above, each CC or CS license sold typically allows installation for a single user on up to two machines. But for a business with multiple users or seats, Adobe recommends Creative Cloud for Teams for maximum flexibility and ease of management.
Hope that helps answer your questions! Feel free to respond back with any follow-ups.
What academic information do you need to provide for CS6 if you purchase with student discount?
Hey there Kayla, you can read all about that in our guide here:
How to Save 70% with Adobe CC / CS6 Student & Teacher Editions
My Mac hard disk had to be replaced and my CS5.5 has gone from my system and I am now trying to reinstall it (I bought the CS5.5 from the Adobe website online and thus was a download version – not CD). I’ve tried the same steps through Adobe costumer service chat and phone calls – none of which was helpful – no luck.
After being in touch with the customer service for 2 days, I am still left not knowing how to be able to simply re-install CS5.5 as I need it for University purposes.
On the other hand, I could very simply reinstall Microsoft Office – also bought at the same time as the adobe CS5.5 in 2011 – to the same computer.
Please could someone help???
Hey Mev, Adobe will keep the software you purchased available for download from your online account for three full years from date of purchase, which you said was in 2011 – so in theory, it should still be there for you.
Regardless, it’s best to have another copy or offline backup made somewhere, just to be safe and be able to easily reinstall as needed.
In any event, we do keep all of the Adobe software direct download links as a convenience for our readers, so you should be able to also find those older applications there.
Hi,
I currently have CS5.5 Design Standard, 1 CD and activation code. I’m thinking of upgrading to CS6 – as it’s now a download, would I be able to activate and run it on multiple machines?
I know from Adobe and this post I can install it on 2 machines (as long as they are the same OS) and that Adobe say you cannot run on 2 machines at the same time.
It’s just I work in a small studio of 3 people and 4 computers – just need to know if we upgrade if 3 CS6’s are needed or just 2… (also if we went over to CC if it’ll be classed as 3 upgrades or 2).
Many thanks
Hello Vicky, for both CS6 and CC you can install on up to two systems… It doesn’t matter whether the software comes via download or disc.
The major differences between CS6 vs CC are that a single license for Creative Cloud can be used on both Windows and Mac OS – plus with CC, both computers that you install to can be used at the same time, however only by a single user.
In other words, CC is more flexible than CS6 – however in all cases it is still against Adobe’s licensing terms for two different users to try to share a single license at once…
What you really need instead for that is Creative Cloud for Teams, which allows you purchase the maximum number of simultaneous seats you want, and then flexibly manage and assign those as needed for whoever needs to use the software at any given time. It also gives other additional benefits as well, over and above CC for Individuals.
I know I can use CC on 2 computers as long as it’s not at the same time, however can 1 be used on windows based desktop and the 2nd be on my apple laptop? I am a student.
Yes Jim – see this FAQ for more details.
Hi, please can you help. I am trying to de-activate CS5 before uninstalling. I have CS6 and am upgrading to Creative Cloud. When I de-activate, under the Help tab, it works fine, I chose not to remove the serial number, just suspend activation. The ‘De-activate…’ button under Help then becomes greyed out as you would expect.
However, when I re-boot the pc and re-open CS5, the ‘De-activate ..’ button is no longer greyed out. I can go through the de-activation procedure again, but after re-starting CS5 it still appears to be activated, not de-activated. I don’t want to lose the opportunity to use CS5 again in the future, either on this PC (Win7 Pro) or another machine. Can you advise please. Thanks.
Hi Ruth, try removing the serial number entirely from the computer, it cannot hurt as you can always manually re-enter at any time on any system…
In other words, choose the “Deactivate Permanently” option instead of the “Suspend Activation” option. Don’t worry, it doesn’t ever do anything bad.
But that way, the software won’t automatically reacquire its serial number when you start it again the next time! (which is what’s happening on that computer) Instead, it would enter “free trial” mode.
For more information, see our Guide to Moving and Deactivating Adobe Software.
Then once that’s completed, you’re fully deactivated on that machine so just uninstall the program as normal using your operating system, and reboot.
If you want to be completely “clean,” you can also run Adobe’s Creative Suite Cleaner Tool after uninstalling.
Hope that does it for you!
PS – Note that it’s not a requirement of CC to uninstall any previous versions… All Adobe CS/CC releases are separate and in fact can install and run side-by-side on the same computer, if desired.
So what that’s saying is that you can keep CS5/CS6/etc on the same machine if you want to, or not – it’s completely your choice.
@ProDesignTools
Thank you for your helpful explanation and advice, and the links. Yes I think permanently de-activating is the safest way to go. My operating system drive is a bit small (although image storage drives are huge), so I thought it better to free up the space. Thanks.
Hello. I use a Macbook (the discontinued white model) as my main computer and purchased CS5 for this in April 2011. I have now just purchased a Macbook Air to use out and about as it is much more portable, but it doesn’t have an optical drive so I can’t install CS5 on it from my CS5 disc. I know you can install it on two machines under one licence (but not use the software on both at the same time) – is it possible to download CS5 for my Macbook Air using my licence? Apologies if this answer is already somewhere on your site.
Many thanks.
Yes, it should be Jennie – check within our Adobe Software Direct Download Links and see if that works for you.
@ProDesignTools
Hello again, bit more advice needed please. I am trying to use the CC Cleaner tool as you suggested, having permanently de-activated and uninstalled CS5.1 (I have CS6 and CC installed)
When I get to the screen options to clean up, CS5-5.5 is listed as number 6. So I typed in 6, enter, and the next screen says ‘List of products installed on this machine’ and there is only one. 1. Clean All. ‘Please enter the option number of the product you wish to remove, or q to quit’.
I am concerned to be sure that if I type 1, it will only clean up CS5 and not my other versions.
Hello again Ruth, you’d need to run Adobe’s Cleaner Tool for each different release you want to remove… So, if you want to take off multiple versions, you’d run it multiple times for each one.
It does them separately so that people can use precision in removing and leaving exactly what they want.
Hi,
According to the CC EULA, it is not that clear:
2.1.5 Dual Boot Platform. The Software is licensed for use on a specific operating system platform. Customer must purchase a separate license for use of the Software on each operating system platform. By way of example, if Customer desires to install the Software on both the Mac OS and Windows operating system platforms on a device that runs both of those platforms (i.e., a dual boot machine), then Customer must first obtain two separate licenses for the Software. This is true even if two versions of the Software, each designed for a different operating system platform, are delivered to Customer on the same media.
Could you help me clarify the situation? Thanks.
Hey Antoine, the answer to that is simple – according to the licensing terms, that clause (part of Section 2.1) applies to CS6 and earlier, but does not apply to CC:
“This Section 2.1 applies to Customers who have purchased a license to the Software but have not purchased a membership-based license or service such as the Creative Cloud membership (as described in Section 2.2).”
In other words, you can run up to two installations of an individual Creative Cloud license on one or both operating systems (Windows and Mac) and even simultaneously, which is confirmed by Adobe here.
Hi,
Is there a way to prevent other people from using the same CC for Individual? Lets say a new worker that used CC for Individual quit after a month. How do I prevent he or she to use the CC for Individual from home?
Thanks in advance!
Welcome Grey, that’s a great question. With most Adobe software you can transfer the license between people, but with Creative Cloud for Individuals you cannot…
You can only do this with Creative Cloud for Teams, which is designed for groups, studios, and businesses like what you’re talking about, and can flexibly manage seats and change licenses. Learn more on the details here:
What’s the Difference Between Adobe CC for Teams vs. Individuals?
I purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 for my PC and now have a new Macbook Air which I plan on using for all of my photo editing. Is there any way Elements can be transferred from PC to my Macbook Air?
It may be possible Diane – did you buy the download version or the boxed release? If the latter, then the license is multi-platform and both the Windows and Mac OS installers come on the discs.
Generally speaking, to transfer a Adobe software license between computers you would use these moving instructions.
Hi,
Very useful info in your posts above. For CS6, just want to be clear about what Adobe considers to be simultaneous use if CS6 is installed on two computers that I own…
Can both be activated concurrently but then just used at different times, e.g. on an office machine during the day and a laptop at home in evening?
In other words, does the limitation on use “at the same time” just mean you can’t run CS on both machines simultaneously? (which would be rather intensive anyway)
Thanks.
Yes, that’s exactly right Miles – and well put.
One major difference between CS6 vs. CC is that a single license for Creative Cloud can be used on both Windows and Mac OS – plus with CC, both systems that you install it to can be run at the same time as needed, however only by a single user.
I have photoshop elements 12 on two discs and have only ever used the windows version on my laptop, I have presently obtained a copy of photoshop 7 and wish to know if my son could use the copy of elements 12 on his computer.
Yes John, you should be able to transfer the existing license title to him – for more details, see:
How to Give Adobe Software to Another Person
I’m from the UK and currently taking an extended tour of America. While here the laptop I brought over from England crashed and I’ve bought a new one here in America. I had Photoshop Elements 11 on the ‘dead’ computer but decided to buy Photoshop Elements 13 and Premiere Elements 13 here.
My question is, can I install the program on my laptop here and also on another one when we get back to the UK?
Yes, you should be able to do that Sandra – because the Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Elements line also allows up to two active computer installations per copy of the program, with similar terms.
Sorry about your laptop but enjoy the rest of your trip!
HOW DO I PUT MY PHOTO SHOP X1 ON MY LAPTOP?
Hi Debbie, this guide should help:
How to Move Adobe Software Between Computers or Operating Systems
I had CS6 on one computer that was destroyed. I have been trying to install CS6 on my second computer but it won’t let me. Most people say that I must deactivate the first version, but I have no idea how since that computer is long gone!
Sorry about your computer Grant! With the newest CC release, the situation you describe isn’t a problem because the software will now automatically deactivate a system that is no longer active.
However with the older Creative Suite versions like CS6, the only way to do that is to contact Adobe directly (live chat is usually the fastest) and request that they reset all the activations for your license in their system so that you can start again from scratch.
It’s not a guarantee but hopefully they might still do that for you if you can prove ownership and possession.
My son and I work together on projects and I understand we will both need to subscribe to CC. Is is possible for us to share files?
We use Lightroom a lot but at the moment we can’t see which images have been flagged or rated by the other user. Can the library be shared?
It would be useful for one set to do the flagging and rating and for the other to carry out the edits. We mostly work in the same office but it would be very useful if we could work this way when we are at different locations.