"Licensing For this Product Has Expired" (But I just bought it!)

I'm having an installation problem, with Adobe CS4 Design Premium for Windows on Vista(64). For technicality purposes, I believe everything installed fine, but I have not been able to open the programs even once, which apparently means this is an installation issue.
Here's the situation:
I had a trial version of Photoshop CS4, it expired, I uninstalled it (or at least went to Control Panel-->Programs And Features--->"Uninstall"), bought Adobe Premier with my student discount, installed it with the new serial number and the 2 CDs without any problems (so I thought), but now every time I try to open any CS4 Program (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, etc.--anything but Acrobat Pro or Bridge CS4) I get a message saying, 'Licensing for this product has expired.'
I found an equivalent issue with Macs and there appears to be a quick fix:
"The tech had me remove APPLICATION SUPPORT > ADOBE > ADOBE PCD > cache > cache.db (to trash)" This apparently solved the problem.
Does anyone know an equivalent fix for Windows PCs?
I've have tried downloading the fix from the following website:
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/licensing.html
(Running this multiple times, rebooting, etc.) but I believe the above website is just for problems of "License has stopped working" and not "Licensing for this product has expired"
I also tried setting my laptop's date/time back to May 31st 2009 following these instructions:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/494/cpsid_49485.html
but when I do that, I get the original, 'Accept these Terms' page, and as soon as I click "I agree' that page disappears, and nothing else happens. My computer works fine, but the program does not start. Therefore I can't deactivate the program/serial number, reset the correct date, start the program, and enter the proper serial number.
Any chance someone knows the appropriate Windows File to remove to solve this problem? Or have any other advice?
Many thanks in advance,
Kevin
PS--I've tried to stay professional about this situation, but it really has me livid. I'm appalled that something that cost me 300+ dollars (and I am fully aware it costs most honest people significantly more) could have caused me to waste the better part of a day, and get so frustrated, and I am still no closer to a solution. If it doesn't get resolved soon I am tempted to try returning the software as 'defective' (which for all intents and purposes it is) or never buy an Adobe product again. My friends have less trouble with the cracks/keygens/etc out there, and they're up $300+ on me.

UPDATE:
So, I took John T. Smith's advice (thanks for the phone number--relatively short wait time compared to the other number I had tried), and called Customer Service. I got the usual run-around, where the first guy wanted me to try all the things I described in the original post. Had me try something else (which involve reinstalling) which didn't work. Finally, the next gal I talked with admitted she didn't know the solution, and the problem would be 'upgraded' to the next higher level of presumably smarter tech people. I asked the time frame for this, and she said 1-2 days, which I wasn't happy about, and finally spoke with her supervisor. This person walked me through the uninstallation, and had 'some files' I should delete. AND FINALLY, I GOT WHAT I WANTED:
He said if I just removed/deleted the following file:
C:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\Adobe\AdobePCD\Cache\Cache.db
So the order he wanted me to do it was:
Uninstall CS4 Design Premium (with windows vista Program and Features in the Control Panel, remove the above file, restart my computer, and reinstall the software. The reinstall didn't go smoothly the first time or two (early on, it said Illustrator, Photoshop, etc could not be installed..) so I just closed ALL programs, and tried again) and finally everything works, or seems to!
From what I read on a Mac forum with the same problem, it seems like I might not have had to uninstall/reinstall the whole suite (which I wish I'd tried, because it would have saved me nearly 2 hours).
But at any rate, everything seems to be working. I wrongly assumed the PC version would have had a different culprit file to be removed. I wish I'd searched my hard drive for the AdobePCD folder earlier. But...now I am happy.
Cheers, and I hope this post might be of some help to a poor unfortunate lad with the same problem I had.

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Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended, owned for ages, licensing for this product has expired? Was using it two months ago.

Hello,
I have been trying to get Adobe's help for over a month now. I've been on the phone twice to them, opened up three seperate cases and still arrived at no solution. I was bought Photoshop CS4 Extended awhile ago and use it for my studies (I'm an art student). Two months ago my harddrive on my computer failed and I had to have a new laptop. I went to reinstall Photoshop and "Licensing for this product has expired" comes up. I've uninstalled, inreinstalled many times and used Microsoft Fix It Programme for uninstalling to make sure all the files are gone.
Surfing the forums I learned that there should be a folder with back up and Adobe PCD but I don't have that folder at all. The serial number I use is my original serial number that I know works and adobe have even said it's a technical error. What do I do? College starts again in two weeks and I don't have the programme I use for it!

Try the License Repair Tool Adobe - Adobe Licensing Repair Tool
Other suggestions if this doesn't work: Error "Licensing has stopped working" | Windows
Also if you must uninstall, use the Adobe CS Cleaner tool, not the Microsoft one. Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC, CS3-CS6

Getting "licensing for this product has expired" message after reinstalling CS6

I recently upgraded my operating system on the same computer from Windows 7 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit. This of course meant I had to do a clean reinstall of all my software.
When I reinstalled Photoshop CS6, I got an error "licensing for this product has expired."
In hindsight, after researching the problem, I realize I should had deactivated CS6 on my 32-bit installation before upgrading the computer, but I didn't. I did, however, upgrade to a new hard drive when I upgraded my operating system, so I was able to put the old hard drive back in and deactivate the original installation after the fact.
However, on the 64- bit installation, even when I try uninstalling CS6 and installing it again, it accepts my serial number, but then gives me the "licensing for this product has expired message."
I have tried contacting Adobe online chat help twice. Each time I get an agent quickly, but after asking a few questions they tell me they need to transfer me to the "install department." The other night I was left in limbo a half hour waiting for the install department before I gave up. Tonight I've been on for almost an hour and am still waiting.
I assume that CS6 has left something in the registry of the 64-bit installation that no longer allows me to install Photoshop with my current (valid) serial number, but I have no idea how to fix it or get through to Adobe help. Any ideas? Thanks.

Just to update this, I was able to connect with Adobe by phone and resolve the problem. The guy on the phone was much more helpful than my two previous attempts to contact Adobe by their online chat.
The guy had me repeat the steps outlined in Solution 3 in the document that Bill refers to, however we also did the additional step of running a program called Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner tool. That program removed the files from my system that were preventing Photoshop from running.
Thanks all.

Licensing for this product has expired (I paid for CS4)

I bought Adobe Creative Suite 4 (Design Premium) in mid November 2008. After installing and entering the serial number, all was well until this morning.
Now when I try to launch any CS4 application I am given the pop up:
License Expired
Licensing for this product has expired
I corrected permissions and re-started. No change.
I tried the License Recovery Launcher to reset my serial number. No change.
Restarted, tried LRL again. No change.
Called Customer Service in India, after 12 minutes on hold cueing, and a further 18 minutes explaining the situation to the technical service rep, including a really painful ESL lesson over and over again. I was told "You need to speak with our Mac expert", another 20 minutes on hold and I gave up. They wore me down!
Searched for a solution using Google. None found.
Should I un-install CS4? Is this the solution?
Any ideas?
This is my first Adobe purchase and I am less than impressed, I thought dealing with Dell Hell CS in India was terrible. Adobe needs to look at their CS experience, copy Apple and we are all happy at least in my 12 years using Apple products.
So, solutions....suggestions?
Cheers.

I found an easy fix for this. I have CS4 on Windows7 but I think the same principle will
apply for Mac:
1. Change your system clock to a date that you knew your CS4 product was working
2. You should be able to launch your CS4 product now
3. From your product's Help menu (I am using Illustrator CS4), click on Deactivate
4. Check the option that will remove your software license key (note: you will NEED your software license key to enter it again so make sure you have a valid one before you do this.)
5. Proceed through Deactivation.
6. Exit Illustrator
7. Change your system clock back to today's date
8. Relaunch Illustrator
9. You will be asked for your serial number / license key
10. All will be well (I hope...it worked for me)

CS4 'Licensing for this product has expired'

This problem relates to a new install. Taken just about the entire weekend to get this problem sorted and still no closer. I have the trial DVD and trying to get to grips with it for evaluation. It's loaded fine on my desktop, but my laptop...totally different story.
I get a message 'Licensing for this product has expired' and I can't run that program. However its only in some programs in CS4 not in all, as other run fine but after doing a reinstall to fix it, the problem just seems to moves to another program; so first time I got it on Illustrator and Dreamweaver and now after reinstall it changes so now its on Flash and Contribute, but all other programs work perfectly well (this has happened 5 or 6 times, Ive reinstalled that often!).
1. I run Vista Home Premium on a new powerful laptop that exceeds all requirements with plenty of spare disk space. Its so new (prob 6 weeks old)that there were just a few new programs on (Office '07 and couple other programs, no Adobe programs except Reader 8.0)
2. The laptop was partitioned by me c=vista d=docs p=program files, and its here on P that I've loaded CS4. I have this same set up on my work desktop which is identical in processor (intel core)and memory/RAM to the laptop and runs CS4 perfectly and was installed from the same DVD (trial version bought from Adobe for evaluation). Problem is need it on the laptop to complete the evaluation, being away from the office
3. I've never moved the installation, its just stayed on P
4. I've not restored
5. I've validated no hardware issues via diagnotics and bad sector checks with professional tools, all other programs work prefectly
6. I check Flexnet is working and started (set to manual)
7. Yes I have permission all run as adminstrator etc..,
8. I've tried running the CS4 programs from Program files/application - makes no difference
9. I've uninstalled (using control panel/uninstall and then the remove tool found on support at http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cs4clean.html) and reinstalled as well as uninstalled and reinstalled via desktop following support tutorial (http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb403963) makes no difference other than moving the error to another program
10. Yes I made sure no other program could interfere during install closing all anti-virus and programs in start-up which might effect this
11. I did try using the adobe support advisor tool - gave no answers or log, and our software supplier said even Adobe reckon its a rubbish tool..
12. Finally I did run the Licensing Repair Tool - no effect (run several times, after reboot)
13. As the disk had just run on my desktop I have to presume the DVD is fine, but cleaned it anyway and it looks fine
I'm out of ideas...

I'm experiencing the same problem.
I'm running Windows XP, sp3
uninstalled CS3 so that I could install CS4
install appeared successful, but launching any product produces error message "Licensing for this product has expired"
I called installation support and found they inspire zero confidence. Two techs gave me two different answers, when I asked where the steps were documented the answer was they aren't and no we can't send them to you via email. The supervisor said, "we just try something, if that doesn't work call back and we'll try something else." She, at least, pointed me to a couple of TechNotes.
Here's what I have tried so far:
I've run the Licensing Service Update
I've followed the steps for Solutions 1, 2, 4, 5 in TechNote KB405970
Neither worked, so I have uninstalled CS4 and am about to try more drastic measures.
Does anyone know if the CS4 Clean Script will solve this problem? KB406241
The suggested last resort is to uninstall ALL Adobe applications (I use several in addition to CS4: FM, LR, Elements) and to follow the steps in KB401401. This involves running the CS3 Clean Script. Installation support said to run it twice at level 2 and twice at level 4 (nuclear).
I foresee that this will take hours. So any suggestions that will save time and solve the problem are very welcome.
Thanks,
Patti
UPDATE: 6/8/09
Hours of wasted time. But finally working. The problem seems to have been a serial number that had, indeed, expired. As an Adobe Partner I have a couple of different serial numbers and the one I tried locked me out. As this was the first time I had installed CS4 on this system it didn't occur to me that it was a date issue. It seems that smartcat's post of 1/22/09 would have been good to try.
But no, I was working with installation support and so uninstalled everything, ran CS3 Clean Script and reinstalled. A further problem was caused by being told to install a trial version as English (International). If you have a US serial number you must choose English (US) or it will not recognize the serail number as valid.
Lesson learned: I need to keep better track of my serial numbers. Feature request: Adobe, please don't lock us out when serial numbers have expired. Provide an option to deactivate and enter a valid serial number.
Sigh,
Patti
Message was edited by: PattiSokol

Adobe photoshop licensing for this product has expired, backup swatches and brushes.

when i open adobe photoshop CS3 and flash CS3 a box appears saying " licensing for this product has expired. please reinstall or contact help"
i have tried all the soutions and are at to "reinstalling" i dont have the disc or the code.
all i am worried about is getting a copy of my swatches/palates and brushes. Is there any way of saving the swatches and/or brushes?
or if i were to install the CS5 version of photoshop would it automatically convert my settings, (swatches and brushes) to the newer verison?

Somebody posted this very helpful file location chart just yesterday, and already it has been useful.
http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-functions-names-locations.html

"License for this product has expired."

I'd like to try out InDesign CS4, but when I try to install the program, it tells me "licensing for this program has expired" despite that I've never installed it before. Uninstalling/reinstalling doesn't work, and I obviously don't have a key to put in. The program is completely locked out too; the only thing that happens when I launch it is a small dialogue box that gives no options or explanations.
So, a few questions:
1) Anyone know how to fix this?
2) Are all of Adobe's paid programs this poorly thought out?
3) If I can't get InDesign to work, is there another program (Adobe or not) that is similar?
I used InDesign a lot in college and I'm familiar with it, but this is proving to be a nightmare.

No promises, but you can try Run the CS4 Clean Script and reinstall the trial, but it's likely that it really did time out.
Try also http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/494/cpsid_49485.html and http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405970.html

Getting Licensing for this product has expired

Moving Framemaker to a new computer

Version? Operating System?
Did you de-activate FM on the old computer?
FM10 needs a patch to run aftr Jan. 1/2013. See: http://helpx.adobe.com/framemaker/kb/cant-launch-framemaker-10.html

Adobe Photoshop CS4 message: "Licensing for this product has stopped working." I have the serial number but not the media. How do I use the software?

I recently tried to use Photoshop CS4 that I have on my computer but I get the message:"Licensing for this product has stopped working." I have the serial number but not the media. How can I use this version?

You can get the installer here: Download CS4 products
It will install as a fully functional 30 day trial. Entering your serial number will convert it to a permanent version, Standard or Extended, depending on what serial number you purchased.
If you still have the license problem. get back to me with your OS details and the error code.
Gene

Need help with Photoshop and "Licensing for this product has stopped working" message. Adobe fix isn't working.

I am still using CS3. A while back I received an error: "Licensing for this product has stopped working" for my CS3 programs. I used the recovery program suggested by Adobe and was able to get Illustrator, Flash and Dreamweaver to work, but I still can't open Photoshop or In Design. I went back to the Adobe site and did every other trick they suggested to fix the error, but nothing has worked.
I then tried to uninstall photoshop from my CS3 suite (so I could reinstall) but got a JavaScript Alert: "Critical errors were found in set up. Please see set up log for file details." Seeing as I am not the best with the behind the scenes technical stuff, I have no idea what this means or where the set up log even is. Any help anyone can provide?
I have had CS3 installed on my computer for over a year. I started having problems about 4 months ago.

I am having similar problem. Can't open any of CS3 programs after trying to download Dreamweaver Trial, which wouldn't work because "couldn't remove DLM extention" error message. So now I can not run Illustrator, Photoshop, or even Adobe Reader. These are properly licensed for about a year. I get "License for product has stopped working". Have 2 pending cases open with Adobe support (one for Dreamweaver trial, one for license problem) since 8/3 with NO ANSWERS - It says answers within 1-3 business days. Was on phone support hold today for over 3 hours before line went dead with no help. What is up with adobe support? Can anyone help?

TCS 2 on Windows 7 - "Licensing for this product has stopped working"

I just spent the last 6 days (since 4/8) with Adobe Technical Support. I have a Dell Latitude 630 Laptop running Windows 7 32-bit. For no reason at all (as is usually the case), RH8 crashed after I ran spell check. Unfortunately, unlike all the other times, it would not restart. The error message box I kept getting (and 4 says later am still getting) is "Licensing for this product has stopped working". The only thing I've learned from this 4-day ordeal is that no one at Adobe Technical Support knows how to do anything but uninstall and reinstall this product. And, for some reason, Adobe has released this software fully aware that it will not completely uninstall using Windows 7's uninstaller - You must also then run both the Windows Uninstaller Cleaner (after downloading & installing it) and their own CS3 Uninstaller Cleaner.
After doing that twice (completely uininstalling and reinstalling), and waiting for 1) the first tech to open a case - it took him 4 days; and 2) the "top level" of support to contact me - that took 2 more days. After telling me how to completely uninstall the suite (yep, that's her fix, too), she has just advised me that the SW won't run because my computer is on a Domain. Yes, my company requires that all of our computers be connected to our Domain. What company doesn't?What is also interesting is that none of my co-workers, who are also running Windows 7, have had this problem. How many of you are successfully using TCS2 on Windows 7 32-bit AND are on a Domain? I'll bet that there are a lot of you out there. Congratulations to you all for still being able to do so! I envy you.
THE FIX: (And this is from Adobe's top level of support, or so I was told.) I've been told that I must create a Local User Account on my laptop that has Admin privileges but is NOT on a Domain, and install the TCS2 software onto that account. This will fix my problem. Interestingly, the first tech had me log onto his Adobe software that allowed him to see my desktop. Didn't he see that I was on a Domain? Or maybe he just isn't privy to this information because he's not high up enough.
I hope that this information keeps at least 1 other person from having to go thru 6 (or less or more) days of repeating your problem to countless Adobe techs who all tell you to do the exact, same thing. And, of course, hearing each one apologize for "the inconvenience" and being "so sorry you are experiencing difficulties".
Here a thought - Don't release your software until it works.
Here's another thought - Don't claim that your software works on a platform until it actually does. As my co-worker Ed says, "Got an Issue? Get a tissue!"
Cheers,
Critterlover1075

Peter,
The higher-tiered (supposedly) Tech had me go to that Web page and follow those instructions earlier this week. I followed all of them, and still had the same problem. That was when she told me that the problem is because my laptop is connected to a Domain (see first post).
4/15/10 Update: My IT support gave me the password to log onto my laptop using the Administrator logon. This login is not connected to our Domain because it is used by our IT folks to troubleshoot problems with the laptop itself. I installed only Acrobat, RoboHelp, and FrameMaker from this login last night. Then I opened Acrobat 9 and "updated" everything. RoboHelop 8 now works (and it is accessible from my regular login), but FrameMaker is now giving an error message, something about the dictionaries, and it does not open. Here is the error dialog being thrown now by FrameMaker 9:
I have updated my case with this info and the screenshot of the error dialog. If you know what is causing this error in FM, please let me know what to do to fix it.
Thank you for your help!
Marlo

Can't run FW CS3! "Licensing for this product has stopped working."

I purchased and downloaded FW CS3 this morning. I received my
serial number and once the file had completed downloading I ran the
installer. Everything seems to be working fine, and the install
finished without a hitch. I then tried to open the application as
was greeted with the following error message:
Licensing for this product has stopped working.
You cannout use this product at this time. You must repair
the problem by unistalling and then reinstalling this product of
contacting your IT administrator or Adobe customer support for
help."
I've unistalled (using the adobe utility) and reinstalled
twice without any luck.
I'm on OS X 10.4.9 w/an Intel Core Duo and 1GB of ram. I had
previously installed the Fireworks CS 3 Beta, but uninstalled it a
month or so ago.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Shaun,
This is a user to user forum. You'll need to contact Adobe
Customer
Service to have this resolved.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=77086966
Linda Rathgeber [PVII] *Adobe Community Expert-Fireworks*
http://www.projectseven.com
Fireworks Newsgroup:
news://forums.projectseven.com/fireworks/
CSS Newsgroup: news://forums.projectseven.com/css/
http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/

Licensing for this product has stopped working Error: 5

OK. Totally frustrated here.
Trying to start InDesign (installed with Master Collection CS4) on Powerbook Pro running 10.5.7 and consistently get the error above: "Licensing for this product has stopped working" and with error: 5.
I have attached a dump of the error screen.
I have been through Adobe's knowledge base and followed the steps there. I have:
1. Applied the licensing service update, and I also used the 0 option.
2. I have restarted the computer several times.
3. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the application (the whole Master Collection actually) using the uninstaller, with the remove preferences files option selected.
As far as I am aware I have the latest version because after reinstalling it the updater downloaded 1.1Gb of updates and installed those.
I have also nuked all font caches in case it was related to Apple's font cache bug.
No joy in any event. Still getting the error and no InDesign.
Any suggestions from the gurus here, please???
Alan

Thanks Peter,
As I said, have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but InDesign still doesn't work, all the other CS4 apps seem OK. Looked at the list you provided - much the same as the one I generated except there was one extra page I had not seen before at http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/494/cpsid_49485.html.
Of course the series of steps described in that page are impossible to do because it says to :
1)      Set the computer clock back to May 31, 2009.
2)      Launch the affected product.
3)      Go to Help->Deactivate, select ERASE THIS SERIAL NUMBER.
4)      Quit the application.
5)      ...
The application will not start because the licensing has stopped working. So step 2 is not possible.
Apart from that the only other page that specifically addresses this problem is at http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405970.html
In this it says to do the things I said I have already done in my original post. None have worked.
Guess Adobe don't monitor this forum so I suppose I need to go back to Quark to do my work. InDesign appears fatally broken.
Cheers
Alan

Transferring CS4 from an old Mac to a new one, I get a notice saying "licensing for this product has stopped working" Error 150:30. Don't know what to do? Thanks.

I'm trying to migrate my CS4 from my old Mac to my new one. When trying to open photoshop, i get a message saying "Licensing for this product has stopped working." And "Error: 150:30" I don't know what to do from here. Can someone help me? Thanks.

"Migrating" and/or "transferring" an application is not just asking for trouble but demanding it!
Always install an Adobe application from scratch, from the original media: CD or download.

Error message opening PS CS3 Extended : "Licensing for this product has stopped working"

I used Migration Assistant to transfer data from my (very) old Mac OS X to a new iMac OS X Yosemite. Before doing so, I uninstalled my (also very old) PS CS3 Extended. When I tried to open PS on the new Mac it asked me to download Java, which I did. But now when trying to open PS again the error message is "Licensing for this product has stopped working". I purchased it about 5 years ago in a box which I no longer have, but I do have the complete 24 digit serial number. How best do I remedy this?

Download the Photoshop CS3 installer Max or PC here. You should be good to go.
Download CS3 products

"Licensing For this Product Has Expired" (But I just bought it!)

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