Uninstalling Paid Software with Key Code

Hi,

I have never uninstalled paid software (that uses a long Activation code) before in order to use it on another computer, but that's what I want to do now.

I need to do it with Photoshop (from my old PC to my new one) and with MS Office (from my old laptop to my new one).

But what I don't understand is: How do these companies know that I have uninstalled it from the first computer?

Could they not just think I'm trying to have the software on several PCs?

(I know you're allowed MS Office on up to 3 devices, but it will be 3 in total when sorted).

I just want to uninstall everything properly, so I don't get in trouble or have any hassle.

Is the process straightforward?

thanks

With Photoshop go to Help> Deactivate then uninstall
Not sure about MS Office.


Some software calls home to check Activations
Jerry

Thanks Bongo,

Sorry I already know how to uninstall the programs, I just want to know if the companies will definitely know I've uninstalled them, and not give me any hassle when I try to install the same Activation codes on my new PCs.

I had hours of trouble with Microsoft a few years ago when I needed a new motherboard and they thought I had a new computer. But in that case, I had not been able to uninstall the software first, so it wasn't exactly the same situation.

thanks

As I know, they dont care if you uninstalled or not. They will just check for teh license code when you are online. if they found two different machines running with the same code, the code will be blocked. Same for Office and Photoshop. But my knowledge might be incomplete.

None of those licenses are OEM, so you can use those on any computer, but not more than one at a time. And, I also guess that MS Office cannot be installed in three different machines with the same code, as same as you cannot unlock three cars with the same key.

Arc said:

As I know, they dont care if you uninstalled or not. They will just check for teh license code when you are online. if they found two different machines running with the same code, the code will be blocked. Same for Office and Photoshop. But my knowledge might be incomplete.

None of those licenses are OEM, so you can use those on any computer, but not more than one at a time. And, I also guess that MS Office cannot be installed in three different machines with the same code, as same as you cannot unlock three cars with the same key.

Thanks, but I have MS Office on two devices now with the same code, and it says on the packaging it can be on 3 devices owned by the same person. So I'm certainly hoping that's the case.

The reason I made this thread is because I read about some different software that you have to uninstall it from one PC before installing it on another, to ensure licence codes are not abused.

So I thought it would be the same for these two programs.

The thing is, I just don't want the hassle I've had before. And in the case of Photoshop it'd actually be easier to just keep it on my old machine if I thought I could not use it on my new machine.

As others have remarked, Photoshop has an explicit deactivation. If you use that, the old copy won't run anymore, and you can activate Photoshop on a new machine automatically. It's very easy.

Microsoft products don't do that. I have Office 2010 Home & Student: it may be activated on as many as 3 machines at a time. If you've already used all 3 activations, you may have to activate a new installation by phone.

Thanks bpbkn,

I have only used 2 Office installs, but I need to uninstall and re-install on two more devices, so it looks like I will have to call them.

thanks