Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program (Windows)
Navigate to /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Installers/ (macOS)
Last updated on
Mar 27, 2026
|
Also applies to Adobe After Effects CS5, Adobe After Effects CS5.5, Adobe Bridge CS5, Adobe Bridge CS5.5, Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5, Adobe Illustrator CS5, Adobe InCopy CS5, Adobe InCopy CS5.5, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop CS5, Adobe Premiere CS5, Adobe Premiere CS5.5, Contribute CS5, Creative Suite CS5, Creative Suite CS5.5, Device Central, Encore CS5, Flash Professional CS5, Flash Professional CS5.5, OnLocation CS, Photoshop Extended, Soundbooth
Troubleshoot the issues that may arise while uninstalling Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 or CS5 applications.
The Adobe Creative Suite 5 and CS5.5 uninstaller displays three panels, or screens, as it works:
- Options
- Progress
- Finish
Uninstall Options panel
-
-
Decide whether you want to deactivate the product.
- Select Deactivate to return your activation data to Adobe, and then remove the product serial number from your hard drive. It's necessary to be connected to the Internet to deactivate.
- Deselect Deactivate to leave activation data and your serial number on your computer.
-
Select the Remove Preferences checkbox if you want to remove the product(s).
-
Select Uninstall.
Note
For assistance with any error messages that occur before you select Uninstall, analyze the PDApp.log that the installer/uninstaller creates. Learn how to troubleshoot CS5 and CS5.5 installation with install logs (cpsid_84451).
Uninstall progress
After you select Uninstall, the uninstallation progress bar appears. The deactivation is processed.
- Errors that occur from this point on are recorded in the main installation log. See Troubleshoot CS5 and CS5.5 installation with install logs (cpsid_84451).
- If the uninstaller detects any conflicting processes, it prompts you to shut those applications to continue.
Shut conflicting processes on Windows
-
Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
-
Select the Processes tab, select a conflicting process, and select End Process.
-
Repeat for all instances of the processes.
Shut conflicting processes on Mac OS
-
Press Command + Option + Esc.
-
In the Force Quit Applications window, select the conflicting application and select Force Quit.
-
Repeat for any additional conflicting applications.
Uninstall Finish and failures
If the installation completes successfully, the Finish panel displays a thank-you message.
If the uninstallation fails, the Finish panel displays the title Uninstallation Status and the message, “There were problems with your uninstallation.” This message means that some or all of the components did not uninstall properly. Select Troubleshooting to display any error messages or codes.
To troubleshoot uninstallation failures, try the following, in order.
-
Search the knowledgebase for errors, if you haven't already done so.
Use any additional information that appears below the error message to search for a solution in the Adobe Knowledgebase.
a. Select the error information and press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command +C (Mac OS) to copy it.
b. Visit the Adobe Support website and choose your product from the Select Product Support Center menu.
c. Paste the error text into the Search The Knowledgebase field and select Search. -
Run the Adobe Support Advisor.
The Adobe Support Advisor is an AIR app that helps identify and resolve installation issues. Select the Customer Support link in the Uninstallation Status window, or select Adobe Support Advisor, to use it. You can leave the Uninstallation Status window open while you run the advisor. Learn more about using the Adobe Support Advisor (ASA) (kb405816). -
Identify errors in the installation logs.
The Adobe Creative Suite 5 installer records all errors and actions in two log files. You can use the logs to search for solutions in the Adobe Knowledgebase. See Troubleshoot CS5 and CS5.5 installation with install logs (cpsid_84451).
-
Perform general troubleshooting steps.
Follow the steps in General uninstallation troubleshooting — Adobe Creative Suite 5 and CS5.5 products (cpsid_82944).
-
Contact Adobe Technical Support
If you still cannot uninstall your Adobe Creative Suite 5 product, contact Adobe Support. If you ran the Adobe Support Advisor and uploaded your support package, Adobe Support can use the ASA token number to quickly access your error information.
