Activation validates your software license to prevent fraud and abuse of Adobe products and services. The activation process sends information to Adobe at various times, such as at download, installation, uninstallation, serialization, launch, and during update checks for Adobe software. Adobe may also use this information to provide you with license renewal options and to help us understand how you use our products.
Note:
Activation stores information about your license in encoded form on the system hard drive of your computer. Application versions prior to CC 2019 store this information in a shared Adobe directory. Applications version CC 2019 or later store this information in per-user OS secure storage using credential entries whose names start with Adobe at the following locations:
- macOS: Login keychain
- Windows: Credential Manager
Deactivation disconnects an application from a valid user license. Once deactivated, you can reactivate at any time, if you choose. You do not need to uninstall an application from your computer to deactivate it. Uninstalling an application does not necessarily deactivate its license.
A single license for Adobe software lets you install an application on two computers—for example, at home and in the office. If you want to install the software on a third computer, first you must deactivate one installation of the application. Here’s how.
Note:
Deactivation removes any information about your license (see above) stored on your computer.
- Make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
- Open the application you want to activate or deactivate.
- Find the app or suite in the table below, and then use the Help menu command provided to activate or deactivate your app.
Note:
You can also deactivate your account from Adobe.com.
| Product | Help menu command to activate | Help menu command to deactivate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Cloud app versions CC 2019 and later | Help > Sign In | Help > Sign Out (your Adobe ID) | For instructions, see Activate and deactivate Creative Cloud apps. For issues, see Licensing errors | CC 2019. |
| Creative Cloud app versions CC 2018 and prior |
Help > Sign In | Help > Sign Out (your Adobe ID) | For instructions, see Activate and deactivate Creative Cloud apps. For issues, see Troubleshoot Creative Cloud activation errors. |
| Acrobat DC | Help > Sign In | Help > Sign Out(your Adobe ID) | For instructions, see Activate and deactivate Creative Cloud apps. For issues, see Troubleshoot Creative Cloud activation errors. |
| Acrobat XI, X | Help > Activate | Help > Deactivate* | Adobe Acrobat XI and X activate automatically as soon as the software detects an internet connection. To activate Acrobat manually, use the Activate command. For issues, see Activation and deactivation troubleshooting. |
| Creative Suite 6 | Help > Activate | Help > Deactivate* | Activate your software within the first seven days of use. For issues, see Activation and deactivation troubleshooting. |
| Creative Suite 5 | Help > Activate | Help > Deactivate* | Creative Suite 5 apps activate automatically as soon as the software detects an internet connection, or the software prompts you to activate it during installation. For issues, see Activation and deactivation troubleshooting. |
Creative Suite 2 & 3
|
N/A | N/A | Our aging activation servers for earlier versions of Acrobat and Creative Suite (CS) applications had to be retired. Without the activation servers, these applications display an activation or connection error when trying to verify a license. To install a version that doesn't require activation, see either Error: "Activation Server Unavailable" | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3 or Activation or connection error | CS3, Acrobat 8. |
| FrameMaker RoboHelp TCS |
Help > Sign In | Help > Sign Out | The product activates once you start it for the first time after entering the serial number. For help finding the serial number, see Find your serial number or redemption code. |
| Photoshop Elements Premiere Elements |
Help > Sign In | Help > Sign Out | The product activates once you start it for the first time after entering the serial number. For help finding the serial number, see Find your serial number or redemption code. |
| Flash Player Acrobat Reader Shockwave Player |
N/A | N/A | You don’t need to activate these products. |
* Choose one of the following options to deactivate Acrobat XI, X, Creative Suite 6, and Creative Suite 5:
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Some products require you to enter your serial number before you can start using your product. If your product came with a redemption code, you use it to obtain your serial number.
- For information in finding the serial number, see Find your serial number.
- For information on using a redemption code, see Redemption code help.
Note:
Creative Cloud apps do not require serial numbers. If you are asked to enter a serial number when you start a Creative Cloud app, it is an error. See Troubleshoot when Creative Cloud apps ask for serial number for information to resolve the issue.
You can install and activate your individual app on up to two computers or devices, but you can use it on only one at a time. See On how many computers can I use my subscription or app?
If you want to install your product on a new computer, you need to first deactivate it on one of the computers. Once deactivated, you can then install the product on your new computer.
If the computer on which you installed the product is no longer available, contact us to update the activation information in the system. Once the information is removed, you can install the product on a new computer.
Running into a problem? See Troubleshoot Creative Cloud activation errors.
What information is sent to Adobe during activation?
- Unique IDs (generated by Adobe) specific to your machine and to the license you have purchased for the software. These IDs cannot be used to locate your machine or identify you personally.
- Your Adobe ID, if you have logged in to Adobe as part of the installation, update, or use of the Adobe software. The Adobe ID personally identifies you, and links to all information that you have provided to Adobe while creating or using your Adobe account. If you or your company uses an administrator or other authorized party for the foregoing, Adobe may also receive the Adobe ID of that party.
- Serial numbers associated with the installed product licenses
- Product name and version number; license type purchased
- Version of End-User License Agreement associated with the software
- The number of times you have launched an Adobe application since the last activation, for each application that is associated with the product license
- Operating system type and version
- Locale (language dialect and writing system) in use
- Local machine time (including time zone)
- Machine name
- MAC address
The IP address assigned to you by your Internet service provider is received by Adobe as part of the process of sending the activation data to Adobe.
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