CS2 Free download

[JulieW]

I've just downloaded a "free" copy of Adobe CS2 from the Techspot site but the install is still asking for a serial number. I can't find that anyway in the downloaded folders. Any suggestions

 

[cliffordcooley]

It is misleading in the sense that CS2 is not free. It is a free download for those who have previously own CS2. It is a version of which no longer uses the activation servers. From what I hear you must register with Adobe to get the activation key. The keys are only given to consumers who have previously owned CS2.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Check the Techspot download page again:
https://www.techspot.com/downloads/3689-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html
The key is listed.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Check the Techspot download page again:

Thanks HK, I should have checked myself. If I had I might have noticed this.

Adobe has released this legacy version of the ever popular Photoshop as freeware. Download and enjoy.

But then if it is Freeware, why does it require a key?

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

So if I remember CS2 was DRM protected, but Adobe was having a bunch of issues with their server, and decided to shut it down.
They released a master key so that customers could still use CS2 even though the DRM server doesn't exist anymore.
In their statement I think they implied that it's only for existing customers, but obviously they're giving up on enforcing CS2 licenses.

So I suppose they could release a freeware version, but then they'd have to release an update to all existing owners and keep some server space for the download, and I guess Adobe thought that that's more work, IDK really.