Creative Suite 3 trial FAQ

Does Adobe have trial versions of Adobe Creative Suite 3?

Yes. To help you evaluate Adobe's creative software for upgrade or purchase, we are offering trial versions of all editions of Adobe® Creative Suite® 3 software, as well as each individual application, such as Adobe InDesign® CS3 or Flash® CS3 Professional, in most languages in which we ship. These trial versions are fully functional, so every feature and aspect of the product is available for you to test drive. The trial period begins on the first day that you launch the software and continues for 30 days (a counter appears anytime you launch to help you track the elapsed time). When the trial expires, you must purchase the software to continue using it.

What if I get a trial version of an Adobe Creative Suite 3 edition, but only have time to try one or two components in the 30-day trial period? Can I still try the others later?

No. Each edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 is a complete integrated product that is bound by the 30-day trial period. For example, Adobe Creative 3 Design Premium integrates these components: Adobe InDesign CS3, Photoshop® CS3 Extended, Illustrator® CS3, Flash CS3 Professional, Dreamweaver® CS3, and Acrobat 8® Professional. Launching any one of these initiates the 30-day trial period. You must then evaluate these components within the 30-day window.

How do I get a trial version?

You have two choices:

Download a trial version of an individual creative application, such as Adobe InDesign CS3 or Flash CS3 Professional, directly from our website at no charge from Adobe.
Order a trial version of an edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 on DVD. Adobe Creative Suite 3 editions integrate multiple creative products into unified design environments for print, web, interactive, mobile, and/or video/film production.

View a complete list of available trials for Adobe Creative Suite 3.

Why are trials of Adobe Creative Suite editions available only on DVD and not via download?

For the first time, Adobe is offering trial versions of full Adobe Creative Suite 3 editions. Due to potentially long download times, we are offering the Creative Suite 3 trials only on DVD sets.

Can I extend the trial period longer then 30 days? What happens when the trial period runs out?

Unfortunately, you may not extend a trial version once it expires at the end of 30 days, nor can you install another copy of the same trial version onto the same computer to try again. However, with Adobe Creative Suite 3, you can now convert a trial version to an unrestricted version without reinstalling the software. You do this by purchasing the product, entering the serial number in the Software Setup screen, and activating the product at any time during or after your trial period. You can purchase the product online from the Adobe Store or from your preferred reseller.

Note: Volume license customers are invited to evaluate the trial versions but cannot purchase from a trial directly. Instead, you must uninstall the trial and then purchase the product from the Adobe Licensing website or from your preferred reseller.

How does the new trial process compare to what Adobe and Macromedia have done in the past?

In the past, Adobe offered fully functional trial versions of individual products. However, these trials expired after 30 days. You then had to purchase and install the full retail product separately. Only the Adobe Photoshop CS2 trial could be converted to an unrestricted version. Our new trial process enables you to evaluate individual products or editions of Adobe Creative Suite 3 and then convert the installed trial to an unrestricted version by purchasing and entering a serial number. This process is similar to what Macromedia offered across many of its products.

Is it better to try a single product or an edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3?

Most Adobe customers use a combination of Adobe products in their print, web, interactive, mobile, and video/film design workflows. That's why we highly recommend getting a trial version of an Adobe Creative Suite 3 edition, because each one combines multiple creative products into a unified design environment for you to evaluate. Keep the following in mind in deciding which trial software to evaluate:

Our new trial process enables you to easily convert from a trial to a full retail version, so we recommend evaluating the software you are most interested in buying to keep the purchase process simple.
If you evaluate one trial product and then buy another, you will need to uninstall the original trial product before installing the purchased product. For example, if you evaluate Illustrator but decided to buy Creative Suite 3.3 Web Premium, you will need to uninstall Illustrator before you install the Web Premium edition. Uninstalling time varies from 15 to 75 minutes depending on the product and platform.
That said, while the uninstall process takes time, it is not difficult — so your choice also depends on how much time you have to perform the trial evaluation.
Standalone products are available for download directly. DVDs of Adobe Creative Suite 3 editions must be mailed to you.

Can I get technical support for my trial version?

Adobe Technical Support will help you install or troubleshoot an installation issue with a trial version of Adobe creative products. Additional phone and web support is available only for registered users of purchased software. For additional help, we recommend the following free, web-based services:

Visit the Adobe Online Forums, where users of all levels ask questions and share information. In addition, Adobe Community Experts are sometimes active on forums, answering user questions.
Search the online Adobe knowledgebase
Try the many tutorials and other learning materials we have available in the Design Center and Developer Center.

Are there other learning resources available to help me evaluate the trial software?

Yes, we've made learning resources directly available within your trial version through an exciting new service called Adobe Bridge Home. To access Bridge Home, choose File > Browse from any Adobe Creative Suite 3 application. Then, in Adobe Bridge CS3, click Bridge Home to check out tutorials, podcasts, and other information to help you make the most of the software. This content is refreshed on a regular basis. You can also browse the Online Help system, or visit the Design Center and Developer Center for additional training information.

How do I know whether I will need to uninstall a trial version?

We recommend uninstalling any trial versions that are not directly converted to purchase to ensure that installations of other Adobe software proceed smoothly and to free up hard-disk space. For example:

If you try Adobe InDesign CS3 but then purchase Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Design Premium, you should uninstall the trial version of InDesign before installing the full edition of Design Premium.
Or, if you try Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Web Premium but opt to purchase Adobe Flash CS3 Professional, we recommend uninstalling the Web Premium edition before installing the purchased version of Flash.

Note: The Photoshop trial enables you to explore Photoshop CS3 Extended, which includes all the features in Photoshop CS3 plus specialized features for editing 3D and motion-based content and performing image analysis. If you then decide to purchase, you can convert the installed trial to the Photoshop CS3 edition of your choice.

How do I uninstall a trial version?

To uninstall your trial version, close any open Adobe software on your computer and do the following:

In Windows®, open the Windows Control Panel and double-click Add or Remove Programs. Select the product that you want to uninstall, click Change/Remove, and then follow the onscreen instructions.
In Mac OS, double-click the product installer in Applications\Utilities\Adobe Installers. Authenticate as an administrator, select Uninstall Components, and then follow the onscreen instructions.

How do I convert a trial version to a version for unrestricted use?

For detailed information on coverting your trial to a Creative Suite 3.3 edition, see the CS3.3 installation instructions.

It's a simple three- or four-step process:

Purchase the software through the online Adobe Store (as an electronic download or as a shipped product) or from your preferred reseller.
Enter the serial number from that purchase to convert the installed trial version to an unrestricted version. You can enter a serial number for a full retail, upgrade, or education version.
Note: Volume licensing customers cannot purchase from a trial directly, but instead should uninstall the trial and then purchase the product from the Adobe Licensing website or from a preferred reseller.
Activate your software online.
Optional: If you purchased an electronic download, log into your account and download the additional content for your product.

Purchase the software online

Make sure you are connected to the web, and then launch your trial version.
In the Software Setup screen, click the Buy Product And Serial Number Online link to go to the Adobe Store. If necessary, select your country and click Go.
Choose the software product you are purchasing, specify whether you want an electronic download or a box to be shipped to you, and add it to your cart.
Note: If you choose an upgrade version, be sure you have a qualifying upgrade product. The installer automatically verifies that a qualifying product is installed when you convert the trial, or prompts you for the qualifying upgrade serial number if it doesn't find the previously installed software.
Click Secure Checkout and complete the purchase.

Enter the serial number

Do one of the following to convert the trial version installed on your system to a full version:
- If you ordered an electronic download from the online store, open your e-mail receipt and note your serial number.
- If you ordered a box to be shipped to you, locate the serial number in the box when it arrives.
Switch to or relaunch the trial version, enter the serial number in the Software Setup screen, and click Next. If prompted for a qualifying serial number for an upgrade, enter the serial number of your previous product.

Activate the software

When prompted, choose whether to activate now or later (you must activate within 30 days of entering a valid serial number). Then you're ready to use your product without restriction. (The activation process does not use, transmit, or collect any personally identifiable information. To learn more, visit Adobe software activation.
Note: Any electronic download purchased through the Adobe Store is automatically registered and does not need to be registered again.

Optional: Download your additional content

Trial versions of Adobe Creative Suite 3 software make available a subset of the content that comes with the final software. For Creative Suite 3 Design and Web editions and related products, additional content — including OpenType® fonts, templates, clip art, technical resources, and more — is available for electronic download from the Adobe Store or on a DVD in the software box you receive. Creative Suite 3 Production Premium and related video products enable you to install additional content once they've been converted to an unrestricted version.

To retrieve additional content online, log into your Adobe Store account using the instructions in your e-mail receipt. You can use your Adobe ID and password to access this content any time for up to three years after the product is released.

I prefer to purchase software from a reseller. Can I still convert an installed trial version that way?

Yes. All you need is a valid purchased retail, upgrade, or education serial number to convert an installed trial to unrestricted use. You can purchase that software from your local reseller, a software catalog, an online reseller, or other channel.

I am a volume license customer. Can I convert a trial to an unrestricted version using a volume license serial number?

No, volume licensing customers cannot purchase from a trial directly. After evaluating a Creative Suite 3 product, you must uninstall the trial and install the product using the volume licensing media and serial number. Contact your reseller or authorized Adobe Licensing Center to place an order for a volume license.

Am I eligible for upgrade pricing when I convert my trial?

Yes, if you have a qualifying older version of Adobe software, you may purchase an upgrade to convert your trial to an unrestricted version. When you enter the purchased serial number to activate your trial for ongoing use, the installer will search your hard drive for the qualifying software. If it doesn't find it, it will prompt you for the serial number of your older version. If that serial number does not work, you can call Adobe Customer Service for assistance. To verify that you have an older version that qualifies you for the software you're purchasing, see upgrade eligibility.

Should I make a backup copy of the trial software and additional content?

Yes, if you choose the download option when converting a trial to an unrestricted version, we highly recommend making a backup copy and keeping it together with the serial number. That way, if you get a new computer or have to rebuild an existing machine, you have everything you need to efficiently reinstall your Adobe creative software. (Alternatively, follow the instructions in the e-mail receipt to log in and download your software for up to three years after you purchase.) If you had the software shipped from Adobe or a reseller at purchase, that package serves as your backup version.

I work on two computers. Once I have converted the trial version to an unrestricted version, can I then install it on a second machine?

Yes, the Adobe license agreement entitles you to install and activate the software on two systems as long as you use one system at a time. To install on a second machine, do one of the following:

Use the trial DVD for an Adobe Creative Suite 3 edition to install on the second machine. Then enter your serial number to activate the second copy.
Download the standalone product trial to the second machine, or make a backup of it and use that to install onto a second machine. Then enter your serial number to activate the second copy.
Use the media in the box you received to install onto a second machine and use the associated serial number to activate it.

What is the difference between purchasing an electronic download and getting the product in a box?

When you purchase an electronic download, you receive everything you get in a physical product box — software, documentation, technical resources, and additional content. The only significant difference is that the physical boxes include some printed documentation, whereas the electronic downloads offer all documentation in Adobe PDF and through online Help.

Here is a list of those differences by product:

Product	Content	In the box	Electronic download
Creative Suite 3.3 Design Premium and Design Standard	Workflow Guide	Available in print and as an Adobe PDF file	Available as an Adobe PDF file
Creative Suite 3.3 Web Premium and Web Standard	Workflow Guide	Available in print and as an Adobe PDF file	Available as an Adobe PDF file
Creative Suite 3 Production Premium	Workflow Guide and product user guides	Available in print and as Adobe PDF files	Not available for purchase via download
Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection	3 Workflow Guides	Available in print and as Adobe PDF files	Not available for purchase via download
Standalone design and web products, such as InDesign CS3, Photoshop CS3 Extended, and Flash CS Professional	Getting Started Guide	Available in print and as an Adobe PDF file	Available as an Adobe PDF file
Standalone video products, such as Adobe Premiere® Pro CS3 and After Effects®	User Guide	Available in print and as an Adobe PDF file	Available as an Adobe PDF file