The following guide explains how to legitimately retrieve your lost CS5 serial numbers, the risks of using public "lists" found online, and the current status of activation for this software. How to Retrieve Your Legitimate CS5 Serial Number
: Log in to your Adobe account and check under "Plans and Products" or "Registered Products". Your original 24-digit serial numbers are often stored here.
: Check your original DVD sleeve or the confirmation email from your purchase.
: For business or volume licenses, use the Adobe Licensing Website to retrieve certificates and keys for your company.
If you previously purchased a license, you do not need to search for a public list. Adobe provides official tools to recover your registration details:
: If you are installing an upgrade version (e.g., from CS4 to CS5), you will need the serial numbers for both the current and the qualifying previous version. The Dangers of Using Public Serial Number Lists
