How to Activate Photoshop CS2

Photoshop Creative Suite 2 (CS2) needs to be activated within thirty-days of being installed on your computer. This is a security feature to ensure you are not using a pirated copy of the software. At periodic intervals after you have activated Photoshop CS2 for the first time you may be prompted to activate it again--if this happens, simply follow the same procedure you used to activate it initially.

Things You'll Need

• Unique Photoshop CS2 serial number
• Internet connection or phone line

Instructions

How to Activate Photoshop CS2

1. Open Photoshop CS2 after installing the software. If you are within thirty-days of installation you will have the option of proceeding without activation or activating the software; if thirty days have elapsed you will be forced to activate the software or quit. Simply click the "Activate Adobe Photoshop" button to continue.

2. Choose an activation method. If you have an Internet connection the easiest way to activate is by selecting "By Internet." Once you select this option the software will automatically contact an Adobe activation server, and the activation process will be complete within a minute or two.

3. Call the provided automated telephone number if the Internet option does not work. You will reach the automated activation system where you will be asked to input your serial number. Once you've input the number, you will receive an activation code to input in order to activate your software.

4. Call the customer support number if neither of the automated options work. You will speak with a customer service representative who can walk you through getting an activation code that works. It is always possible that you or your institution has activated Photoshop CS2 on more computers than your license allows for.

5. Contact customer support if you are faced with constantly-repeating messages requesting activation, even after you have activated your software. This is a known problem, and a customer service agent can provide you with a patch to fix the issue.

Tips & Warnings

• * If you reformat your computer and install everything from scratch you will have to re-activate Photoshop CS2. This should not deduct an additional activation spot from your license.

• * You can transfer your activation from one computer to another by going to the Help Menu and selecting "Transfer Activation." This will remove the activation on the current computer and allow you to activate it on a new computer. Note that you will no longer be able to open the program on the original computer.

References

• Adobe Creative Suite Support