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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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An answer to this may be buried in the conversations above, but I have a new Mac and want to move my second allowable copy of CS5 over to it. I copied all my apps to an external hard drive and then put Photoshop into my new applications folder and it wouldn’t open. It said some files were missing – I think it indicated that I needed to reinstall the software. I suppose it makes sense to I deinstall the software on the original and just reinstall onto my new Mac. Is that right?
Yes Paul, that’s right – copying data and project files is fine, but copying program files in an effort to move Photoshop itself between systems won’t work…
Just follow the instructions here:
How to Move Adobe Programs Between Computers
How many computers can I activate with the student/teachers edition?
Hi Allen, it’s the same — two!
So just to clarify, I will only be able to download CS5 twice. No matter what. The only reason I ask, is I work off of 2 computers now (desktop, laptop), but plan on updating at least one of these machines in the next year. So I will not be able to put it on my new machine, correct? Thanks!
That’s right Kari, you can only have it installed and running on (up to) two machines, for one user.
However, it’s not too hard to switch the activation from one system to the other.
Ahh… ok, great thank you. So it is not 2 downloads for the life of the product.
Thanks, Kari
Yes Kari, that’s correct.
Thanks for your comments and feel free to stop by again if you have further questions.
Hi, I have adobe photoshop elements 9 and would like to activate on 2nd computer but failed due to serial invalid. How do I proceed from there?
Hey there Ken, it sounds like something might have gotten crossed up with your licensing, or perhaps the software was installed on another computer and never fully deactivated…
You might need to contact Adobe Customer Service to have your product license counts reset, and then you can activate again how and where you would like.
Hi, I need the basic photo editing software. I just need to be able to crop photos, erase the background from images, and then combine a few images on a page to make a collage. What would be the best for me to get in order to do this?
I like how easy the magic eraser tool is in PhotoShop CS5 so I would like something easy to use. But I don’t want to pay for a bunch of features I don’t need & won’t use.
Welcome Kacie, check out this guide – it should help you decide:
Compare the Different Photoshops: Which One Is Right for Me?
And of course, all of these are available for free download if you want to try them out.
Hi,
I am wanting to purchase Adobe Design Premium CS5.5, but I have another user who needs Acrobat X Pro.
Is it possible to install everything but Acrobat X Pro on my PC, and then install Acrobat X Pro on the other user’s PC?
Also when you can install on 2 PC’s, but only use 1…does this count if you use different programs? I.e. would it class me using InDesign and them using Acrobat X Pro as being more than 1 use?
Sorry Mike, it’s single-user software. Any of the suite’s programs can be installed on up to two systems, but for the same user – the two installations cannot be used at the same time, regardless of which program in the suite.
If you need multiple seats, check out Adobe’s volume licenses – they’re easy, online, and actually less expensive.
On that basis…could it still be installed as I’ve mentioned, but that I can’t use any of the software if this other user is using Acrobat X Pro?
I.e. on the odd occasion we would overlap, I would have to wait until she has exited (or vice-versa).
Hello again Mike, please read this – thanks.
Plus the Volume Licensing segment is either in the wrong location…keeps defaulting to America…or only offers the CLP program, not TLP.
Once you click into the Adobe Volume Store (TLP), you can change the geography if you look next to “North America” where it says, “(change).”
TLP (Transactional Licensing Program) is definitely the one you want because it offers flexibility and allows you to easily buy online with a credit card and no signature contracts, download instantly, etc.
Or you can just use Adobe’s International Store Selector. Choose your location, then “Business Store.”
Hope this helps!
what if you buy the cs5.5 box is it then possible to install on more than 2 computers
Interesting question Andreas, but no – it’s the same whether the software is boxed or downloaded from Adobe.
I have CS3 installed on one laptop and need to move it to my newer laptop, however I can not locate the install disks yet. If I install CS5 upgrade to my old laptop and then locate the CS3 disks. Can I install them on my newer laptop?
Great question Chuck. In fact, you don’t actually need the older discs – or to even have the prior software installed – to perform an Adobe upgrade. All you really need is the serial number from the earlier release. When you install the current upgrade version, it will ask you for that prior license key, if it can’t find the older software installed on your system.
So the answer to your question is, so long as you have both your CS3 (original) serial number, and your CS5 (new upgrade) serial number, then you should be able to install almost wherever you want.
PS – If you do want to actually reinstall CS3 or CS4 for some reason, you can just download and use the free trials of the software instead of the discs.
Thanks for the information, Tried to install on the older one and it could not locate the CS3 that I have installed there. Strange since I use that one daily for all my photo needs. Oh well, guess I will have to buy the full version of CS3 or CS4
That is strange Chuck – if a valid older product is installed on your machine, then the upgrade installer should find it…
Just one word of caution: be very careful if you are considering trying to buy older versions of Adobe software.
You may be better off returning the upgrade you bought for a refund and then getting the full current release instead.
Not sure why this will not work for me, I did get the software back in 2008 and return is not an option at this point.
Congratulations on winning this item! The next step is to pay the seller.
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS3 EXTENDED
Sale price: $400.00
US Postal Service First Class Mail
Seller: nekag [contact seller]
Seller address: Hiawatha, KS 66434 United States
Is there any else I can do to get this software working?
Hmm, it looks like you did not buy this from Adobe, but rather from an auction site or similar untrusted venue.
Your upgrade isn’t working because the odds are overwhelmingly likely that this was not authentic software… The low price is another tipoff. Please see:
Why Not to Buy Adobe Software from eBay, Craigslist, or Amazon Mkt
Do you have a trial version of CS3 that I can download?
Yes Chuck, we have download links for most of the older Adobe trials, though you can’t upgrade from a trial.
Thanks for the information. Will only buy from Adobe from now on
Sure, glad to help. That’s probably the best and safest way to go. Sorry for your experience!
A local guy is selling some unused Volume Licenses for CS4/5/5.5 Master Collection on Craigslist. Assuming they really ARE “un-used”, are they legally transferable?
No, definitely not, on all accounts… For buying safe and legal Adobe software, you should absolutely avoid eBay and Craigslist like the plague.
Thanks for the advice.
I am looking at getting the student edition. I have 1 desktop and 2 laptops. Is it correct to say that I will only be able to install my product on 2 out of 3 of my computers. If that is true, will I be able to have it running on those 2 computers at the same time?
Hey there Rob, that’s close. The products can be installed on as many computers as you like, however it can only be activated on two computers at once…
And of those two computers, you can’t use the applications simultaneously – you can only run the software on one system at any given time.
Does that hopefully clear it up?
If you upgrade from one suite to another, in this case I think it was Design Std. CS4 (which includes Acrobat Std) to Master Collection CS5 (which includes Acrobat Pro), do you now have two Acrobat licenses that can be used by two separate users?
I called the Volume License support team and they said yes, but after reading some of the info here, I’m not 100% sure that’s the correct answer. Thanks.
Hi Dan, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, you received incorrect information, sorry about that… All regular/standard/retail Adobe products are single-user only. This includes the prior release you still have after upgrading. Your old and new versions actually need to remain a unit, and stay on the same machine(s). This is clear.
But Adobe does offer Volume (“Business”) Licenses for any and all multi-user or multiple seat needs. They’re not just for business, they’re for any customer who needs to run on more than one computer at the same time, or would like a version that works on both Mac and PC.
Hope that helps clear it up!
Thank you for the information. Most of the software we have purchased from Adobe is through Volume Licensing, and when reviewing our purchase history on the Adobe licensing site, most of the line items include a Win and a Mac serial number.
Is that an indication that these are the kinds of products that can be split amongst multiple users? If not, is there some other info in the list that indicates that it is that kind of license? Thanks.
Well, with the Volume/Business program, each of your licenses is a seat for one user.
That user can install the software on up to two machines, running one at a time.
And those computers can be either a PC, a Mac, or one of each.
Does that clarify it hopefully?
If Adobe needs your computer to be connected to the Internet to know if its software is being used on another device, does this mean that if you’re on a laptop in a location with no WiFi, you will be able to use it regardless? Or will the software simply not work at all unless you have access to a network while using it? This is of course working on the assumption that both devices have the software already activated.
Greetings Bob, Adobe software does require an Internet connection for validation but normally won’t stop working if you’re offline as you describe… That’s really only a potential issue with the subscription or cloud versions, not the standard permanent products that you’re accustomed to.
For more information, check out Adobe’s Software Activation page.
Hi, I am hoping you can help me !!
I currently have a Mac Pro with CS2 Premium suite installed and I am buying a new iMac and I want to get the new CS5.5 software package.
If I upgrade am I still legally allowed use the CS2 on the old Mac Pro as well as the new 5.5 on the iMac at the same time – and if so, can I install the 5.5 onto a laptop as long as I don’t use it at the same time?
Thanks for your help,
– Emmet
Welcome Emmet, thank you for your question. As described above you can definitely install your new CS5.5 software on up to two computers, and the same goes for your older CS2. The one requirement is they must be the same two systems… See here for more:
How Can I Use My Previous Adobe Software Version After Upgrading?
By the way, if you’re buying CS5.5 now then you should definitely check out this coupon code for 10% off plus a free upgrade to CS6!
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply – I have read through the link you gave me but I am still not sure! i am currently in the process of buying an iMac and i want the new cs5.5 software for same – I will be using the two computers at the same time ( one with cs2 and one with cs5.5 ) so legally is this allowed, or do I have to buy the software without an upgrade ?
Hello again Emmet, the current licensing agreement for Creative Suite 5 is actually a bit different from the older ones. Here’s what it says:
5. Updates.
If the Software is an Update to a prior version of Adobe software (the “Prior Version”), then Customer’s use of this Update is conditional upon its retention of the Prior Version. Therefore, if Customer validly transfers this Update pursuant to Section 4.6, the Customer must transfer the Prior Version along with it.
If Customer wishes to use this Update in addition to the Prior Version, then Customer may only do so on the same Computer on which it has installed and is using the Prior Version.
Any obligations that Adobe may have to support Prior Versions during the License Term may end upon the availability of this Update. No other use of the Update is permitted. Additional Updates may be licensed to Customer by Adobe with additional or different terms.
Hi,
I have recently bought CS5.5 and want to install it on my new macbook pro. I understand that I am allowed only 2 active computers to load this up to, and that I can transfer (or ‘deactivate’?) a previous computer in order to manage this. I have never done this before, but trust I can figure it out with a little instruction/help online.
Question is, I have a new computer now due to catastrophic accident with the previous one that I have my previous edition of CS software on. I do not have access to that computer HD any longer. Will this make it difficult to ‘unhook’ that device from my license?
Hey there Mary, it’s normally straightforward to deactivate one of your computers to use the software on another system…
But if one of your machines is no longer available but you want to transfer the license from it, then you would need to contact Adobe Customer Service for them to help with that… because there’s no way to do it yourself.
Note however that if you’re upgrading to a newer version then you don’t necessarily need to have the older software resident on the same computer in order to activate the CS5.5 – all you need to have is your previous serial number, which you can enter manually at installation time.
Hope this helps!
There is also some possibility that I will be returning the new computer for an exchange in future, so please advise if this could be a problem.
In that case, if you were going to return the new system later, you’d want to permanently deactivate the products before doing that.
You could also run the Adobe Cleaner Tool afterwards as a last step to clear everything off, just in case.