Activation—connecting an app to a license—is automatic for most apps. In some cases, you need to activate your app manually before you can use it. Find your product to learn how to activate it.
With Adobe Creative Cloud, Acrobat Pro DC, or Acrobat Standard DC, simply sign in to activate your software.
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Log in with your Adobe ID and password to activate your product.
If you don’t have an Adobe ID, you see an option to create one. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Tip:For more detailed instructions on activating Creative Cloud apps and services, see Sign in and sign out to activate Creative Cloud apps.
Running into a problem? See Activation and deactivation troubleshooting.
Adobe Acrobat XI and X are automatically activated as soon as the software detects an Internet connection.
If you need to activate your software manually (for instance, if you deactivated it on one computer so you could activate it on a different computer), follow the steps in the Creative Suite section, below.
CS6: Sign in with your Adobe ID and password to activate your software within the first seven days of use. To do so, follow the steps below.
CS5.5, CS5, CS4, CS3, and earlier: Activation happens automatically as soon as the software detects an Internet connection, or the software prompts you to activate it during installation. To activate your software manually, follow the steps below.
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Sign in with your Adobe ID and password to activate your software.
If you don’t have an Adobe ID, you see an option to create one. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Running into a problem? See Activation and deactivation troubleshooting.
Deactivation disconnects an app from a valid user license. Once deactivated, you can reactivate an app at any time, if you choose. You do not need to uninstall an app from your computer to deactivate it. Uninstalling an app does not deactivate its license.
A single license for Adobe software lets you install an app on two computers—for example, at home and in the office. If you want to install the app on a third computer, first you must deactivate one installation of the app. Here’s how.
For more detailed instructions on activating Creative Cloud apps and services, see Sign in and sign out to activate Creative Cloud apps.
Running into a problem? See Activation and deactivation troubleshooting.
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Choose one of the following options:
- Deactivate or Suspend Activation: These options deactivate the software but retain licensing information on your computer. Choose one of these options if you want to deactivate the software temporarily, and you are planning to activate it on this computer again.
- Deactivate permanently: This option deactivates the software and removes the licensing information from your computer. If you want to use the software on this computer again, reenter the serial number.
Running into a problem? See Activation and deactivation troubleshooting.