A Simple, Complete Tutorial for Adobe Creative Cloud Activation
This repository is for educational and research purposes only
The information and tools provided are intended to help users understand software activation mechanisms.
- β‘ Use at Your Own Risk: You assume all risks when using any methods from this guide
- βοΈ Legal Liability: The authors are not responsible for any legal issues or damages resulting from using this information
- π Copyright Notice: We encourage supporting legitimate software by purchasing official licenses
- β Legitimate Use: This guide is for users who already own valid licenses but encounter activation issues, or for testing and learning purposes
π‘ If you find Adobe's products valuable, please purchase legitimate software to support the developers.
β οΈ Disclaimer- π Table of Contents
- π Content Source
- π οΈ Prerequisites
- π Activation Steps
- π Maintenance: How to Update
- π License
- π Final Reminder
This guide is compiled from GenP Guides, simplified for broader accessibility.
Before starting, make sure you have the following ready:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows (Administrator privileges required) |
| Antivirus Software | Must be completely disabled (including Windows Defender) |
| Account Type | Windows Administrator Account |
β οΈ Important Note: GenP tools may be flagged as threats by antivirus software. Please temporarily disable all security software before proceeding.
| Download Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Adobe Official | β Recommended |
| Xi Xu's File List | Use when official site is inaccessible |
| Version | Download Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v3.7.0 CGP | Xi Xu's File List | Latest version |
After downloading, extract GenP.v3.7.0-CGP.zip to a dedicated folder:
- Recommended path example:
D:\GenP β οΈ Avoid using paths with non-ASCII characters or special symbols
Follow these steps strictly in order. Each step is important.
- Locate the downloaded
Creative_Cloud_Set-Up.exefile - Right-click the file and select "Run as administrator"
- Wait for the installer to launch
During installation, you'll be prompted to sign in to an Adobe account:
- β Please register a new free account, or use a temporary email
- β Never use any existing account with active subscriptions or expired free trials
π‘ Tip: Using a fresh account helps avoid activation conflicts.
- If prompted to install "Adobe Genuine Service (AGS)" during installation, do not install it
After installation completes, CC will automatically open. Immediately configure the following settings:
- Click menu:
Menu β File β Preferences - Under the "General" tab, uncheck the following three options:
- β¬ Launch Creative Cloud on login
- β¬ Keep Creative Cloud running in the background after closing
- β¬ Automatically keep Creative Cloud up to date
After configuring, completely exit CC:
- Click
Menu β File β Quit Creative Cloud - Make sure CC is fully closed (no CC icon in the system tray)
- Navigate to your extracted GenP folder (e.g.,
D:\GenP) - Find the
GenP-v3.7.0.exefile - Right-click and select "Run as administrator"
- In the GenP window, switch to the "Options" tab
- Check β the "Always search for ACC" option
- Click "Save Options"
- Return to the "Main" tab
- Click the "Search" button
- Wait for GenP to find files (may take a few minutes)
- In the results list, check the top three Creative Cloud related files
- Click the "Patch" button
- Wait for the program to complete automatically
When the interface automatically switches to the "Log" tab, CC activation is complete.
β Success Indicator: Log shows successful activation messages without errors.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to CC's installation directory:
- Default path:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud\ACC
- Default path:
- Find the
Creative Cloud.exefile - Right-click β
PropertiesβCompatibilitytab - Check β "Run this program as an administrator"
- Click "Apply" β "OK"
- Launch Creative Cloud
- On the "Apps" page, install all programs you need:
- For example: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator, etc.
- Wait for all programs to finish installing
β οΈ Important Warning: After installation completes, do not launch any applications!
After all apps are installed, once again completely exit CC:
- Click
Menu β File β Quit Creative Cloud - Make sure CC is fully closed
Again, run GenP-v3.7.0.exe as administrator.
- Go to the "Options" tab
- Uncheck β¬ the "Always search for ACC" option
- Click "Save Options"
π‘ Note: This time uncheck it, opposite from Step 2.
- Return to the "Main" tab
- Click the "Search" button
- GenP will find all the Adobe applications you just installed
- Make sure they are all checked (they'll be selected by default)
- Click the "Patch" button
- Wait for the activation process to complete (may take a few minutes)
Check the Log tab to confirm all applications have been successfully activated.
You can now launch and use your Adobe applications normally.
Launch applications from:
- Start Menu
- Desktop Shortcuts
- Pinned Taskbar Icons
Do not launch programs using the "Open" button in the Creative Cloud window!
β οΈ Launching through the CC window may cause activation to fail.
When opening an application for the first time, if your antivirus software (or Windows Defender) flags a threat:
- This is a false positive, you can safely ignore it
- In your antivirus's "Quarantine" section, restore the file
- Add it as an exception (whitelist)
When you need to update an Adobe application:
- Open Creative Cloud and update the desired application
- After the update completes, completely exit CC
- Repeat Step 4 (Activate Applications):
- Make sure "Always search for ACC" is unchecked
- Search for and activate the updated application
When CC prompts that it needs to update itself:
- Open Creative Cloud and update the CC application
- After the update completes, completely exit CC
- Repeat Step 2 (Activate CC):
- Make sure "Always search for ACC" is checked
- Search for and activate CC
| Update Target | Always search for ACC Option | Reference Step |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Cloud itself | β Checked | Step 2 |
| Adobe Applications (e.g., PS, PR) | β¬ Unchecked | Step 4 |
This project is licensed under the GNU GPLv3 License.
- This guide is for learning and research purposes only
- Using unofficial activation methods carries risks
- We recommend purchasing legitimate software when financially feasible
- Respect intellectual property rights and support software developers
If you are:
- π Student: Apply for Adobe Education Discount for 60%+ savings
- πΌ Professional: Using Adobe for creative work that generates income, consider purchasing legitimate software for continued updates and support
- π’ Enterprise User: Please purchase commercial licenses to avoid legal risks
If this guide helped you, please give it a β star!
Made with β€οΈ for educational purposes only