How to Update Adobe Creative Cloud License from Device to User (No Reinstall Required)

If you're transitioning from a device-based Adobe license to a user-based license, follow these steps to update your configuration without reinstalling the Creative Cloud apps.

Administrator privileges required

• Navigate to:
  C:\ProgramData\Adobe\OperatingConfigs

• You may need to enable “Show hidden files” in File Explorer to access this folder.

• Delete the OperatingConfigs file.

• Navigate to:
  Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OperatingConfigs

• Make sure you're in the system-level Library, not the user Library.

  ✅ Tip: Use the path bar to confirm you're in the root Library, not ~/Library.

• Delete the OperatingConfigs file.

🔁 Restart the computer after deleting the file on Windows.
🧘‍♂️ No restart is needed on macOS.

1. Send the user this activation link:
   Adobe License Activation Portal

2. Have the user:

   • Log into their email account.

   • Click the activation link.

   • Select “Sign in with Google”.

⚠️ Important: Do not manually type in the email address. The license will not activate correctly unless the user selects Sign in with Google.

1. Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.

2. Sign out of the current account.

3. Sign back in using the user's account credentials.

• Open any Adobe app (e.g., Acrobat, Photoshop, or Illustrator).

• Confirm that the app launches without license errors and reflects the user-based license.

If you need assistance setting up or troubleshooting the Passwords app, contact IT Services:

☎️ Phone: 814-231-7743
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
💬 Submit a ticket via the IT Services Portal