- Categories
- Computers and Electronics
- Software
- Adobe Software
Download Article
Explore this Article
methods
1Using Creative Cloud Apps
2Using the Creative Cloud Desktop App
3Using Creative Suite 6
4Using Creative Suite 5.5 and Below
+Show 1 more...
-Show less...
Other Sections
Related Articles
References
Written byShari Fairclough|Edited byTravis Boylls
Last Updated: June 18, 2024Tested
Download Article
This wikiHow teaches you how to activate products. Creative Cloud products can be activated within the individual app, or through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Creative Suite users need to enter an activation key, or by signing in with their Adobe ID.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Using Creative Cloud Apps
Download Article
1
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. Adobe products are activated online. In order to activate an Adobe product, you need an internet connection and an Adobe ID.
2
Click to launch a Creative Cloud App. Adobe apps have color coded icons for each app with two letters inside a square. Click the app to launch the app. On Windows, apps can be found in the Windows Start menu. On Mac, open the Finder, click Applications in the sidebar to the left, and click the app.
- Click here to download an Adobe Product. Click Download Trial below a product. There is a 7-day free trial before you are required to purchase a product.
Advertisem*nt
3
Check your Adobe ID and click Sign in. The Sign In button is the blue button in the lower-right corner. Check to make sure that the Adobe ID displayed in bold is the correct. Click the "Sign In" button. If there is a valid subscription for the application attached to your Adobe account, the product will be automatically activated.
- If you do not have a subscription to the Adobe product, click new subscription within the message text. This opens a website in your default web browser that allows you to purchase a subscription plan.
- If the Adobe ID is not correct, click (Not your Adobe ID?), below the text in the box and sign in with a different Adobe ID.
4
Click License this product. It's in the lower-right corner of the Adobe launch window. You need an Adobe ID with a valid subscription to the product in order to activate it.
- If you do not have an Adobe ID, click the yellow button that says "Join Now" to sign up for an Adobe account.
- If you still have access to a free trial, click Continue Trial to continue to use the product with your trial.
Advertisem*nt
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:
Using the Creative Cloud Desktop App
Download Article
1
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. Adobe products are activated online. In order to activate an Adobe product, you need an internet connection and an Adobe ID.
2
Open the Adobe Creative Cloud app. The Creative Cloud has a red icon that resembles a C, and a backwards C inside of a cloud. On Windows, apps can be found in the Windows Start menu. On Mac, open the Finder, click Applications in the sidebar to the left, and click the app.
- Click here to download the Creative Cloud desktop app, or any other Adobe product. The Creative Cloud is the first option at the top of the page. Click Download below the Creative Cloud icon to start the download.
3
Click Sign In, if asked to do so. When you sign in using the Adobe desktop app. Adobe products you have a subscription to are automatically activated.
- If you are signed in with the incorrect Adobe ID, click your profile picture in the upper-right corner. Then click Sign Out and confirm. Type the email and password associated with your Adobe ID and click Sign In and agree to the license agreement.
4
Click Install next to a product. Apps that are not installed on your computer have a blue button that says "Install" next to them. Allow a few minutes for the app to download and install.
5
Click Launch. Apps that are already installed on your computer have a white button that says "Launch" next to them. This launches the app.[1]
- Click Update next to the app if the blue "Update" is displayed. Click Launch after the update is finished downloading and installing.
- Click Try next to a product to begin a free 7-day trial of that product.
- Click Buy Now if you do not have a subscription to the product you wish to launch.
Advertisem*nt
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:
Using Creative Suite 6
Download Article
1
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. Adobe products are activated online. In order to activate an Adobe product, you need an internet connection and an Adobe ID.
2
Click to launch an Adobe CS 6 app. Adobe apps have color coded icons for each app with two letters inside a square. Click the app to launch the app. On Windows, apps can be found in the Windows Start menu. On Mac, open the Finder, click Applications in the sidebar to the left, and click the app.
3
Click Sign In Now. It's the blue button in the lower-right corner of the Adobe launch window.
4
Sign in with your Adobe ID. Use the email address and password associated with your Adobe ID to sign in. The product is activated automatically when you sign in with your Adobe ID.
- If you do not have an Adobe ID, click Create an Adobe ID to sign up for an Adobe account.[2]
Advertisem*nt
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:
Using Creative Suite 5.5 and Below
Download Article
1
Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. Adobe products are activated online. In order to activate an Adobe product, you need an internet connection and an Adobe ID.
2
Click to launch an Adobe CS 5 app. Adobe apps have color coded icons for each app with two letters inside a square. Click the app to launch the app. On Windows, apps can be found in the Windows Start menu. On Mac, open the Finder, click Applications in the sidebar to the left, and click the app.
3
Select "Provide a serial number". It's the radial button next to the first option in the Activation window.
- If you have a free trial available, select "Continue to use as a free trial".
4
Type your product serial number. The serial number is a 24 digit code with both letters and numbers. Type it in 6 boxes in segments of 4 under "Provide a serial number". If the serial number is valid, a green check mark appears at the end of the serial number.
- If you do not have a serial number, click Buy Now to get a serial number.
5
Click Continue. It's the button in the lower-right corner of the activation screen. This activates the product and launches it.
Advertisem*nt
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
About This Article
Written by:
Shari Fairclough
Social Media & Graphic Design Expert
This article was written by Shari Fairclough and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Shari Fairclough is a Social Media & Graphic Design Expert based in Atlanta, Georgia. Shari is a versatile designer with extensive experience in social media marketing, UX/UI design, and graphic print production. She has over 4 years of both freelance and in-house experience working as a UX and Graphic Designer. She currently works as the Social Media & Marketing Coordinator at Guidepost Montessori. In this role, Shari curates engaging content and enhances the school's online presence. In 2022, Shari founded Sunni Aesthetics, a design platform that blends culture, design, and art. Shari holds a Google UX Design certification. Additionally, she studied graphic design at The Creative Circus, has four years of experience working as an assistant teacher, and is certified as a TEFL instructor. Shari has contributed to various publications, including Canvas Rebel, VoyageATL, and 11 Alive, and has film credits on IMDb for her work in "Black Lightning," "The Color Purple," and "The Staircase." She received a BA in Film & Media from Georgia State University. This article has been viewed 37,262 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 4
Updated: June 18, 2024
Views:37,262
Categories: Adobe Software
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,262 times.
Is this article up to date?
Advertisem*nt
