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Remove CS3 prerelease software (Creative Suite and individual applications)

What's covered

This document contains information and instructions on how to uninstall all Adobe Creative Suite 3 prerelease software, including the Design and Web Premium and Standard Suites, and CS3 public beta software to ensure your system is as clean as possible prior to installing the final shipping version of the Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications.

It is important that you read and follow these directions carefully.

Please follow the removal methods below in the order that they appear. Only proceed to the next method if the previous method does not completely uninstall the Adobe Creative Suite 3 application and enable a successful install of your purchased Creative Suite 3 application.

Warning: Before you use the Adobe CS3Clean Script, it is critical that you back up your hard drive including all data, content, software programs, etc. Failure to do so, and failure to follow the instructions below, could result in a loss of the contents of your hard drive.

Note: The Windows steps in this document that refer to the Control Panel are in reference to the Classic view. To switch the Control Panel to the Classic view:

  1. Choose Start > Control Panel.
  2. Choose Classic View in the left pane.
Deactivate the CS3 component or Suite

For all Creative Suite 3 applications: before you uninstall, you must deactivate the application. If you have an entire Suite installed, then you only need to deactivate from one application.

To deactivate the component or suite: From the CS3 application, Choose Help > Deactivate and follow the on screen instructions.

Uninstall the CS3 component or Suite
On Windows:
  1. Close all applications currently running on your system, including other Adobe applications, MS Office applications, and browser windows.
  2. Run the uninstaller:
    1. Go to Start Menu > Control Panel.
    2. Double-click Programs And Features (Windows Vista) or Add Or Remove Programs (Windows XP).
    3. Select the CS3 program or suite, click Remove, and follow the on-screen instructions.
    4. Repeat for each CS3 program or suite that you wish to uninstall.
  3. Remove all files related to CS3 from your system:
    1. Go to Start Menu > My Computer.
    2. In the Address bar near the top of the window type one of the following:
      • On Windows Vista, type: \Users\<user_name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe
      • On Windows XP, type: \Documents and Settings\<user_name>\Application Data\Adobe
    3. Delete files and folders with CS3 in the name.
    4. In the Address bar near the top of the window type one of the following:
      • On Windows Vista, type: \Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Adobe
      • On Windows XP, type: \Documents and Settings\<user_name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Adobe
    5. Delete files and folders with CS3 in the name.
On Mac OS:

Note: There is new uninstall functionality on Macintosh. Do NOT drag applications to the trash to uninstall.

  1. To safely uninstall on Mac OS X, double-click the product installer in Applications/Utilities/Adobe Installers.
  2. Authenticate as an administrator, then select Uninstall Components and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Repeat for each CS3 program or suite that you wish to uninstall.
  4. Delete all of your preferences files before installing the shipping version.
    1. Go to Users/<user_name>/Library/Preferences and delete files and folders with CS3 in the name.
    2. Go to Library/Application Support/Adobe, and delete files and folders with CS3 in the name.
Install CS3 application

After using this method, you may install your Creative Suite 3 application. If you are not able to successfully install/uninstall your Creative Suite 3 application, or are not prompted for your serial number when you launch a Creative Suite 3 application, then please use the Adobe CS3Clean Script.

Run the Adobe CS3Clean Script

This script is intended to remove remnants of previously installed CS3 applications in order to enable installation of new CS3 components.

The script is not intended to remove all of the directories and preferences which might have been installed; there may still be some left. The goal is to enable subsequent installations which failed without this tool.

Important: Back-up all data before you use the CS3Clean Script. This includes fonts, Version Cue repositories, plug-ins you may have installed and any other important files. Version Cue repositories are located at:

  • Windows:
    \Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS3\Server\data\
    \Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS3\Server\backups\
  • Mac OS X:
    <user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Version Cue CS3/Server/data/
    <user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Version Cue CS3/Server/backups/
On Windows:
  1. Reboot your system and be sure that all applications are closed, including other Adobe applications, Microsoft Office applications, and browser windows.
  2. Download the Adobe CS3Clean Script from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/support/contact/cs3clean.html.
  3. Unzip WinCS3Clean.zip
  4. Double click on the WinCS3Clean folder to open the directory.
  5. Double click on CS3Clean.

Note: Windows Vista is more strict about security and requires this tool be run as an Administrator. If the script does not work after you type your password, right-click on CS3Clean and select "Run as Administrator."

Important: The Microsoft Windows Installer CleanUp Utility is required to complete the cleaning. The Adobe CS3Clean script will check to see if this utility is installed on your computer. If the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility is not installed on your computer, the CS3Clean script will notify you and then quit. If you receive this notification, then please go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 on the Microsoft Support web site for instructions on downloading and installing this utility.

On Mac OS X:
  1. Download MacCS3Clean.dmg from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/support/contact/cs3clean.html. The disk image should automatically mount. If it doesn't mount, then double-click MacCS3Clean.dmg.
  2. Double-click on the MacCS3Clean folder to open the directory.
  3. Double-click on CS3Clean. This will prompt you for your password (like an installer it needs administrator privileges) and will then begin running.
On both operating systems:
  1. Choose your language, by entering 'e' for English or 'j' for Japanese. It does not matter if you use lowercase or uppercase letters anywhere in this script.
  2. Review the Adobe End-user License Agreement, enter 'y' to Accept or 'n' to Decline. Declining will exit the Script.
  3. Acknowledge you do not wish to exit to uninstall or back-up your data by entering 'n'.
  4. Choose cleaning level by entering '1', or '2'. It is recommended you use Level 1 the first time, and use Level 2 only if you cannot install after running Level 1.
    • Level 1 will remove all CS3 program files, but leave Acrobat 8 unaffected. On Windows it will also clean the registry of any CS3 settings.
    • Level 2 will remove all CS3 and Acrobat 8 program files. On Windows it will also clean the registry of any CS3 settings.
  5. If you have installed to any custom locations, enter 'y', then on the next screen enter the custom locations.
  6. If you wish to preview what the Script will do, enter 'y'.
    • If you do so, you will need to run the script again after the preview to do the actual cleaning, by starting over at step 3 in these instructions.
  7. If you wish to backup your registry, enter 'y' (Windows only).
  8. The next screen shows the options you have chosen. Review your selections, then type 'GO' to begin the clean.
    • If you wish to change any of your selections, type 'quit' and start over at step 3 in these instructions.
  9. After the script has finished running, press Return (Mac OS) or Enter (Windows) to exit. If you were running a preview, then restart at step 3 to proceed with the cleaning.
Verify the Adobe CS3Clean Script completed successfully
  1. Open the Adobe CS3Clean Script log. Location of the AdobeCS3Clean.log file:
    • Windows XP
      Documents and Settings\[Username]
    • Windows Vista
      Users\[Username]
    • Macintosh OSX
      /Users/[Username]
  2. Open the AdobeCS3Clean.log file in a text editor such as Notepad.
  3. Search the log for "Access is Denied".
  4. Grant the administrator full control of the file or registry entry listed in the log. Examples of file and registry entries log errors include:
    • Folder or file permission error: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Resource\CMap\83pv-RKSJ-H - Access is denied.
    • Registry permission error: HKLM\Software\Adobe\InDesign\5.0 - Access is denied.

      Note: Please refer to Additional Information for steps to grant folder, file, or registry permissions.
       
  5. Delete the folder, file, or registry entry listed in the log file.
  6. Reboot your system.
Tips
  • Start out at Level 2 and advance to Level 3 only if you still have issues installing your CS3 applications.
  • Running this script removes folders created during the installation of CS3 applications.

Note: You may have to run the script multiple times at level 1 or level 2 in order to remove everything. Delete the AdobeCS3Clean.log file before running the script again. We recommend running the script until there this no entries created between the action to initiate the script and completion. If there are paths listed, then the script found more things to try to delete. If the script is continues to list locations in the log without an error message please check these locations manually and remove them.

Install CS3 application

After using this method, you may install your Creative Suite 3 application. If you are not able to successfully install your Creative Suite 3 application, or are not prompted for your serial number when you launch a Creative Suite 3 application, then please contact support.

Contact Support

If you are still unable to successfully install your Creative Suite 3 application after going through Method 1 and Method 2 and you own a registered copy of the software, then contact Customer Support for additional help with installation. To find out how to contact Adobe Customer Support, please visit Adobe.com for your region or country and click on Contact.

If you require technical assistance for your product, including information on free and paid support options and troubleshooting resources, then you can find more information http://www.adobe.com/go/support/. Outside of North America, go to http://www.adobe.com/go/intlsupport/. Additional troubleshooting resources include the Adobe support knowledgebase and the Adobe user-to-user forums.

Additional Information
To remove folders or files:

Note: You must be logged into the computer as an Administrator to modify your folder or file permissions.

Windows XP Professional:

  1. Navigate to the folder or file location indicated in the log using Windows Explorer.
  2. Choose Tools > Folder Options.
  3. Click the View tab.
  4. Uncheck the Use Simple File Sharing option at the bottom of the Advanced Settings section.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Right-click the folder or file and select Properties.
  7. Select the Security tab.
  8. Make certain that Administrators and SYSTEM is listed and permissions for security is set to full control.
  9. Click Advanced.
  10. Check Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
  11. Click the Owner tab.
  12. Select Administrators.
  13. Check Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Accept the warning dialogs to continue.
  16. Repeat steps 1-15 for all remaining folder or file entries.
Windows XP Home:
  1. Reboot into safe mode.
  2. Restart Windows.
    1. Press F8 before Windows starts, when you see a message such as For Advanced Startup Options.
    2. Select Safe Mode from the list of startup options.
    3. Safe Mode should appear in each corner of the desktop.
      • If Safe Mode doesn't appear in each corner of the desktop, then repeat steps a-c.
      • If Safe Mode does appear in each corner of the desktop, then log in as administrator of the local machine.
    4. If a dialog box indicates that Windows is running in Safe Mode, then click OK.
  3. Navigate to the folder or file location indicated in the log using Windows Explorer.
  4. Chose Tools > Folder Options.
  5. Click the View tab.
  6. Uncheck the Use Simple File Sharing. option at the bottom of the Advanced Settings section.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Right-click the folder or file and select Properties.
  9. Select the Security tab.
  10. Make certain that Administrators and SYSTEM is listed and permissions for security is set to full control.
  11. Click Advanced.
  12. Check Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
  13. Click the Owner tab.
  14. Select Administrators.
  15. Check Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects.
  16. Click OK.
  17. Accept the warning dialogs to continue.
  18. Repeat steps 1-17 for all remaining folder or file entries.
     
Windows Vista:
  1. Navigate to the folder or file location indicated in the log using Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the folder or file and select Properties.
  3. Select the Security tab.
  4. Make certain that Administrators and SYSTEM is listed and permissions for security is set to full control.
  5. If Administrators and SYSTEM are not set to full control:
    1. Click Edit
    2. Follow the on-screen UAC elevation prompt to allow the action.
    3. Make the necessary changes.
  6. Click Advanced.
  7. Click Edit and follow the on-screen UAC elevation prompt to allow the action.
  8. Check Replace Permission Entries On All Child Objects With Entries Shown Here That Apply To Child Objects.
  9. Click OK
  10. Click the Owner tab.
  11. Click Edit and follow the on-screen UAC elevation prompt to allow the action.
  12. Select Administrators.
  13. Check on Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Click OK on the warning that displays.
  16. Right click on the folder or file and chose Delete.
  17. Click Continue and follow the on-screen navigation through the UAC elevation prompt.
  18. Repeat steps 1-17 for all remaining folder or file entries.
All Windows:
Use the command line to correct the permissions if you had difficulty with the above steps.
  1. Choose Start > Run, and then type cmd in the Open box. Click OK.

    Note:     You must elevate the level of permissions for Windows Vista with UAC enabled.
    1. Choose Start > Accessories.
    2. Right click on Command Line and select Run As Administrator.
       
  2. Use the following commands; include quotation marks and press Return at the end of each line (also make sure to enter spaces between /T, /E, /C and /G in the third line):

    c:
    cacls "FolderLocation" /T /E /C /G Administrators:F
    cacls "FolderLocation" /T /E /C /G SYSTEM:F
    exit

Macintosh:

  1. Control Click the folder or file location listed in the log and select Get Info
  2. Expand Sharing And Permissions
  3. If locked, click the lock in the lower right hand corner.
    1. Type your administrator username and password and click OK.
  4. Click the + sign.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for all remaining folder or file entries.
To remove Windows registry entries listed in the log:

Note: You must be logged into the computer as an Administrator to modify your registry.

Disclaimer: This procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't support editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. For information on the Windows Registry Editor, see the documentation for Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support. You may not have all of these files.

Important: Make a backup copy of the registry before you edit it.

  1. Choose Start > Run, type regedit in the Open text box, and click OK.
  2. Navigate to one of the registry keys listed the log and select it in the left panel; it will appear in the registry editor as a folder.
  3. Right click on the registry key and select Permissions.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Select Administrators on the Owner tab, check Replace Owner On Subcontainers And Objects, and Click Ok.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Repeat steps 1-6 as needed for any remaining registry entries.

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Document Details

ID:kb401574

Products Affected:

creativesuite