Restart Your 30 Day CS5 Trial
Adobe CS5 (Adobe Creative Suite 5) is some pretty expensive software. Lucky for us, they have a trial option available. The Adobe CS5 Trial lasts for 30 days, after which the program will automatically close itself after launch. During this 30 day trial period, you also have the option to enter a license key to unlock the program.
Now you might be wondering how to restart the Adobe CS5 trial so that you can keep using the program. Good question. Most people try uninstalling and then re-installing the software, and guess what, adobe hides files on your computer that don’t get deleted during the uninstall. Because of this, when you re-install the Adobe CS5 trial, your trial period will still be expired!
But there is a way around this little problem. By following the easy steps in this how to tutorial, I will show you the process of how to restart your Adobe CS5 Trial so that you can continue using the Adobe Creative Suite tools for another 30 days. This works for Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection, and any other CS5 packages offered as well.
Instructions:
1.) Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD
Adobe Common Files PCD Location
2.) Delete the file named “pcd”
3.) Open the “cache” folder
4.) Delete the file named “cache”
5.) Edit your “Hosts” file to prevent your Adobe CS5 programs from communicating with Adobe.
Editing your hosts file is a relatively easy task (See image below). Navigate to Computer -> Local Disk (C:) -> Windows -> System32 -> Drivers -> etc -> hosts. Or you can simply type “hosts” into the search bar when you are inside the folder “System32″.
You will need to change the security of the hosts file in order to edit it. Right click it, select properties and then select the security tab. You will need to grant regular users “Full Control” in order to edit this file.
WARNING: You should remove these full control privileges from the regular users group after editing the file for system security purposes.
Add the following lines to the bottom of the file:
127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com
This essentially tells your computer that when you attempt to navigate to either activate.adobe.com or practivate.adobe.com, rather than being directed to those addresses, your computer will loop that navigation back to itself, and your Adobe programs will fail to reach the adobe activation destination. “127.0.0.1″ is your computers own loopback IP address.
Click for full size
I’m actually not sure if that whole hosts file editing part is absolutely necessary, but it doesn’t seem like it could hurt. I’m not sure if Adobe attempts to keep track of trial users on their end.
Now the next time you open an Adobe CS5 program, you will be prompted to accept the license agreement and start a new trial.
Adobe CS5 Start Trial Screen
Drawbacks to using an Adobe CS5 Trial
There are some drawbacks to using an Adobe CS5 Trial. Adobe has hidden limits and disabled features in many of their trial version programs. For example, Adobe Premiere Pro will not include audio in many popular video formats because they want people to actually buy the software to get all of the features. This workaround will not work for those situations. But in the event that you absolutely need to use your Adobe CS5 trial for a few more days while you wait for your full copy to arrive, this is a solution which can help you.
This solutions is probably against Adobe’s Software License Agreement. If you use this software and profit from it in any way, you should really purchase it. Student’s can get some great prices with Adobe’s student discount program.
The Amazon.com Link to the right is the cost of the Student / Teacher edition of Adobe CS5 Design Standard which includes Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended, Adobe Illustrator CS5 and Adobe InDesign CS5. An extremely reasonable price if you ask me.
Hi thank for the infor but I can not get this to work. I have removed the 2 files you say and have the host file correct. When I run Flash CS5 it puts back the 2 removed files. Fine.
I have installed AI CS5 again and run it but it does not let me have a new 30 trail and it does not update (with a time stamp) the 2 files I removed?? Any suggestions. Thanks
Try deleting the files after uninstalling the CS5. Do you have all of the programs completely closed when you delete these files? Check your system processes to make sure.
Hey, doesn’t work for me either. Every time I restart dreamweaver it puts the cache.db back. Help
Please.
Same as with Ken, my hosts does not get updated with a timestamp, cache.db gets created after I try running dreamweaver but pcd does not.
OK This definitely worked for me the first time I did it, I am dumbfounded as to why I cannot duplicate the results. I even did this on two computers when I made the tutorial to be sure. Sorry
It still works. I did a total uninstall and then deleted the files listed in this tutorial.
The I ran photoshop and it failed saying trial expired. So, I went back and deleted the same to files and boom! I had a new trial to work with.
It is crazy how random it is that this sometimes works. Glad it worked for you!
this worked for me, but now illustrator does not open…it wants me to uninstall and install again. trying to install it now.
Hi everyone, I am a student who is unable to purchase the Adobe Products at the moment and just received this e-mail. I am stressing big time because although I never used the Adobe Acrobat and Creative Suite 5 trials, I need to now but my time as ran out. I need to send some doc via pdf profolio and another couse I have to work with some graphics and animations, I can fail both courses. I was going to try this but read your comments. Did it work for you? I need some help. Thanks
Hi Renee,
If you are in college, somewhere on your campus there should be computers with Adobe Creative Suite installed. Also, you can download BullZip PDF printer to literally hit “file->print”, choose the “PDF Printer” and save everything via PDF format that way. Also Office 2007 and 2010 allow you to save documents as PDF’s.
Until then, Adobe offers a great student discount on their products. See my Amazon.com link for their great prices.
Um…I have a problem with doing this…I don’t even have host files. I don’t have an Adobe folder. Not sure why not.
I have the trial Adobe Illustrator CS5, and when I try to look for the host files, I can’t find them. Any particular reason why they aren’t there whatsoever?
Will you please post it here if you figure it out? Thank You
I don’t no how to edit hosts file
How do you “Add the following lines to the bottom of the file:”
127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com
127.0.0.1 practivate.adobe.com
can you give me a vivid description of how do to it? thanks!
same problem i have no idea what that means.
Open notepad, click file-> open, in types of file field, select all.
Now go to the folder that has host file and select host file to open it.
You will be able to add those lines now.
You may need to right-click on notepad and “Open as Administrator”.
I don’t even have the Adobe PCD file
I was using CS5..? Do you uninstall it first?
Adobe has tied it’s serial number tracking into other adobe applications like flash, adobe air, adobe acrobat, etc… It seems if you have ANY adobe product still on your machine, any adobe registry entries, etc… It could be storing activation information somewhere. Back in the old days they Creative Suite only worried about Creative suite, now it seems something ties all of their applications together.
I’m not sure what the solution is now.
If your using windows 64 bit you have to go to the program files(x86) folder
Hi does anyone know how to do this on a mac?
hi, i was seeking another option for restarting my Photoshop trial and came across this thread. i am using Windows Vista and its not working for me
.
i do have a method that does work, but it can get a bit aggravating. i do a factory image restore!! sometimes im able to also complete a regular system restore point from when i 1st downloaded it. i find that this works with any trial =].
i also just downloaded the trial to a new laptop and i checked my programs under Control Panel and i notice “Akamai NetSession Interface” was download before the actual Adobe CS5 its self. does anyone know about this? i know that Adobe must store something on the computer that lets it know you have already ended your trial. could this be the catch?
hi… Actually i don’t even have the files you are talking about ’cause my installation don’t even create the folder “adobe” in Program Files…. I don’t want to “crack” but just try a little more before by (ther’s a payment download site allowing you to download regular flash with $100).
Thank’s for all suggestions.
HELP!!!! i cannot find the hosts file, i can get up to the point where it says:
4.) Delete the file named “cache”
but cannot get any further! please please please help!!!
You should add that removal of the PCD file can and WILL affect all Adobe applications. I followed the instruction above and it worked for the reset of the timer, however my registered versions Photoshop Elements, and Adobe Premiere went back to pre-install status, and when I started them the prompted me for the product keys again. Be very careful removing or changing common files used by other applications, especially if you no longer have the original keys!
Is there a way to do this on a Mac?
Worked for me thanks!
Worked for me. I had 15 days left and now another 30. I think it is wise to “renew” your trial before it runs out completely in case Adobe somehow hide more files on your computer. I also heard changing to or creating another user account can work but I haven’t tried this.
You don’t need to edit the host file. I opened it in notepad but couldn’t save it as it was in use so just cut out that part.
If you have a 64bit OS make sure you check x86 Program Files folder for the 32bit files you need to delete.
I couldn’t find the PCD file at the first place, but it got installed in the Program Files (x86) folder.
It works for Photoshop & Media Encoder, but Flash Professional and Illustrator show an error and couldn’t start.
worked for me on XP.
The files to remove are at: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\
I renamed the files rather than deleting them. I renamed pcd.db to pcd.db.bak and cache.db to cahe.db.bak.
Didn’t modify the hosts file at all and was still connected to the net when I did it. So I think there is no need to alter the hosts file.
I agree with Wing, i followed all the instruction and it reset for Photoshop just fine, however Adobe Illustrator pulls an error and says to reinstall, once i do that it goes back to “Trial has expired” Is there a way to get Adobe illustrator working?
Hey! Why not just purchase the darned software? You know full well that what you’re doing is illegal, but what beats me is why anyone would think they have the RIGHT to use the software for free anyway? Maybe if there weren’t so many twits stealing it, it would cost less for those of us who bother to pay our way.
Illegal is something that’s against the law. Nothing stated here is illegal. Maybe frowned upon, but not illegal.
Kick rocks to the lake. Let these poor people enjoy Adobe’s FREE trial for as long as they’d like. Who are u to judge Ms Goodie 2 shoes!!
Don’t work on XP. Help please
What I do is just delete the basic photoshop from my computer. Then I sign up again with a different e-mail address each time.
I am pretty sure if these people could afford this software they would steal it. It is was over priced. I checked the Quark express today and it does web design now too and it is WAY cheaper and no one has to use Adobe product any more spread the word.
@Shanah – If you have an extra $1500 that you will give me and everyone else here I am sure we’d buy it. Unfortunately I do not have an extra $1500 – $2000 to fart out of my ass and buy the software. What’s crazy if you’re a student you can buy the lowest suite for $300. So you tell me who’s robbing who. If Adobe is still making money on $300 student purchases why not just make it $300 for everyone…
What do you do on a mac?
You buy the legit version. You already have too much money to waste so might as well put it to good use.
Worked for me ! But in a different way though.I got a full version after following above instructions and entering my product key,Which da software used 2 reject b4 dng da abve stuff…Tnx dude!!
a trick i used to get rid of the “pcd” and “cache” file to use a file shredder or force deleter. there are numerous system/security applications that come with them these days. i found i was easily able to do it using “spy bot”(antimalware) and “comodo system cleaner”(registry deleter), both which are free. nice thing about getting these is that not only do you make illustrator free but you also get to remove malware and/or useless registries from your computer.
oh wing is right too. im still looking for a way around it. ill try to sift through the registries. usualy theres something in there. im also going to try something else when deleting the file. i get a message to confirm that the file has been deleted but then i still see the file there even after i restart. someone mentioned that the file comes back. maybe the new file is ment to be kept in order for it to work? perhaps thats the “new” trial?
there will always be a file there. Don’t delete til after you uninstall. then install again. The file is kind of a clock that starts tickin at the install. If you uninstall the program and then delete it there is nothing to re make the file. Then when you install the software it looks for a file. sees that it is not there and creates one for 30 days
And maybe if the software weren’t so *outrageously, unreasonably* expensive, people wouldn’t feel the need to circumvent the strictures against use. “Illegal” and “unethical” are two entirely different things. The wealthy shape the law to suit their purposes. Thus, the poor have justification to ignore the law as unjust.
Don’t think of it as stealing, more like, altering files on OUR computer that Adobe put there, and we have a magical adverse affect on the timer.
Hello friends.
Who aren’t happy the trial ran out that read the further.
1.
Add to Disk (C:) -> Windows -> System32 -> Drivers -> etc -> hosts the strings:
@Shanah: you’re just mad because you had to pay for yours before figuring this out
Uninstalled the software, deleted PCD, CACHE files, Edited HOST, re-installed software. Still no fix
Worked for me. Much appreciated. I’ve been tearing my hair out over this one.
Many many many many thanks!
Simply uninstall the software and reinstall it as a new adobe profile, hence using a different email address. This is how Adobe keeps track of its trial users.
When asked if you already have an Adobe profile, click “no”, and then create a new one with a different email than you’ve used before. I’ve done this a few times with no problem.
You can extend the trial period by not turning your computer off and not quitting Ai. I’ve found that if I don’t shut Illustrator down, the trial continues to be available past the end of the 30 days. The limiting commands only seem to engage if the program is quit and re-opened.
Another option is to load a different suite containing the program you want to practice on.
It IS hard to scrape up $1500 for a suite that others can buy for $300 or $400.
Gah, didn’t realize that my whole name was going to be posted.
Just small input from me. I did this
Download the sqlite extention for mozilla.
then open the cache.db in it. And then change the value of “FlashPro-CS5-Win-GM{|}ALL” from “expired” to valid. This will give you one more run of flash. I will do more debug and keep you posted.
Thanks
Any more detail on this?
I have opened cache.db in sqlite but I cant seem to find the ‘FlashPro-CS….’ file?
Any chance of a step by step walkthrough please?…
i have the same problem a B Mo. I have opened the cache.db but I don’t know where to start looking for what you have said. This is the first time I’m using SQlite and i’m not familiar with the interface. A step-by-step will be great. Thanks!
Your the Man!!
Hi there
Would it be possible for you to post something similiar for CS2 please? I desperately need my trial to work again.
Regards,
Dewald
Uninstalled CS5 Extended trial, deleted, cache.db and pcd.db, changed the host file, used new email account to install again….. no worky
Any ideas?
For all you students out there, or if you can’t afford Adobe products – there is free software out there that can do what Adobe products can do. Over the years these products have become so good, I don’t understand why people are still spending so much money on software like CS5. Try GIMP, Inkscape, Kompozer, Blender, Unity 3D and many others if you search the internet. Many of these apps interfaces look identical to CS5 products
Get the skills you need and when you get a job you will probably find the company has CS5 already. CS5 products are now targetted at the coporate market. Software companies make more money from 1 coporate licence that 100 student/individual licences. The more you try and hack their products, the more they imagine you are desperate to use them and will continue to rip you off!
Worked perfectly
@Sameer Jain, thank you so much… your method works like a charm. keep going mate…
How do you do this in Mac?
worked for me! good man.
Hi. I am working on a Mac Book Pro, how would i be able to do this on here? please help !