Information Services > Services > Software > Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud

Beginning November 30th 2018, with the exceptions of classrooms and computer labs, Adobe will require organizations to change Creative Cloud activation methods from a product key-based mechanism to a username authentication system. To prepare for this change, in lieu of the traditional Software Center and Self Service distribution methods, Information Services will now provide Adobe Creative Cloud applications via Adobe's Creative Cloud desktop app. With this new service, faculty and staff can install the latest Creative Cloud software directly from Adobe. This page details how to get started with the Creative Cloud desktop app.

Note for Adobe CC 2019 users with student employees:

Beginning with Adobe CC 2019, Adobe has changed its product-activation mechanism to require authentication with an Adobe ID. Devices used by student employees should not upgrade CC applications to version 2019. See "For their work, our student employees need to use Adobe applications on a University computer. How can they install these applications?" for more information on installing earlier versions of CC applications.

Getting Started with the Creative Cloud Desktop App

Download the Creative Cloud desktop app. To do this, when the Creative Cloud website loads, select the second dropdown menu (see below screenshot). Select the appropriate download link based on your operating system, then run the downloaded executable.

After you run the executable, select "Sign in with an Enterprise ID" in the window that appears. Type in your DePaul email address (username@depaul.edu) into the given "Email" field (e.g. "jdoe1@depaul.edu"). When you switch to "Password," the system will bring up a Campus Connect login field.

When prompted, sign in with your Campus Connect credentials.

When prompted, install the Creative Cloud desktop app installer.

You must be a local administrator of your computer to install Creative Cloud applications.

The Creative Cloud desktop app will launch automatically. Sign in using your Campus Connect username followed by "@depaul.edu" (e.g. "jdoe1@depaul.edu").

When prompted, sign in with your Campus Connect credentials.

Click the "Apps" tab to list available Creative Cloud applications.

Click the “Install” button next to any Adobe application that you want to install .

Frequently Asked Questions

I already created an Adobe ID using my DePaul e-mail address. Can I still use this service?

If your Adobe ID uses your long-form e-mail address, you are not affected by this new service. If your Adobe ID uses your Campus Connect username, you can still use this service, however you will now need to select "Enterprise ID" when logging into the Creative Cloud desktop app.

What are the system requirements for Adobe CC applications?

Each Adobe CC application has its own set of system requirements, which Adobe documents. For Adobe CC 2019, Adobe requires Mac users to run macOS version 10.12 or newer, and, on Windows, Windows 10 version 1703 and later.

Do I need to uninstall my current Creative Cloud applications prior to installing new ones?

Yes.

You can uninstall Creative Cloud applications via the Apps tab of the Creative Cloud desktop app. Click on the downward-facing arrow next to an application, followed by clicking "Uninstall".

Which devices can I install Creative Cloud software on?

DePaul's license agreement with Adobe offers work-at-home rights for Creative Cloud software for DePaul staff and faculty. This means DePaul staff and faculty may install and use one copy of Creative Cloud software on a University-owned device and one copy on a personal device, however you may use only one of these copies at a time. Creative Cloud software is not licensed for mobile devices (e.g. phones and tablets).

How many devices can I activate Creative Cloud applications on?

Your enterprise ID activates two installations of each application. Any additional installation attempts will require deactivating one of your two existing installations.

For their work, our student employees need to use Adobe applications on a University computer. How can they install these applications?

Please submit a TSC ticket and include a list of computer names where the software will be installed.

A representative will work with you to provide access for these computers. Afterwards, a faculty or staff member with local administrator privileges should log in to the computers in question and perform the following procedure:

Install version 2018 or earlier of the application(s) you need. Do not install version 2019. It will not activate with this procedure:

Launch the Adobe Creative Cloud application and sign in with your enterprise ID
Click on the dropdown menu next to the “Install” button
Click on “Manage”
Click on “Other Versions”

Click “Install” next to the desired application version

Sign out of the Adobe Creative Cloud application and close all other Adobe applications

Run the Adobe Creative Cloud License Renewal tool:

On Windows:

From the Start menu, search and launch the Software Center application
On the Applications tab, click and install the Adobe Creative Cloud License Renewal tool
Wait for the installation to complete

On Mac:

Open Self Service
Click "Run" for the Adobe Creative Cloud License Renewal tool
Wait for the tool to complete

Launch the Adobe applications you installed during step (1)

Will my application or Creative Cloud desktop app settings sync between devices?

No.

After installing an application using my enterprise ID, do I need an Internet connection for my installation to remain activated?

You need to sign into the Creative Cloud desktop app once every 99 days to make sure you stay activated. An Internet connection is required to complete re-activation. You do not need an active Internet connection to use applications.

Can I use my long-form e-mail address for my enterprise ID?

No. Please log in using your Campus Connect username followed by "@depaul.edu" (e.g. "jdoe1@depaul.edu").

Can users that log into my computer run Creative Cloud applications I install with my enterprise ID?

Other users accessing your computer can run applications you install. If you want to prevent this from happening, please sign out of the Creative Cloud desktop app when you finish working.

If my Campus Connect username, and thus e-mail address, changes, will I receive a new enterprise ID automatically?

Yes. 24 hours after your username has changed, please sign in with your new e-mail address (Campus Connect username followed by "@depaul.edu").

If I need technical assistance with installation or troubleshooting a Creative Cloud application, to whom should I direct my questions?

Please contact the TSC, and someone will assist you.

Are there any training services available for Creative Cloud applications?

Yes. The University community has access to lynda.com, which offers tutorials to help users improve their skills with Creative Cloud applications.

Will the versions of Creative Cloud software installed in classrooms and labs differ from what is available via the Creative Cloud desktop app?

Information Services updates Creative Cloud software installed on classroom and lab computers once per year, usually during the summer timeframe. You can visit this page for the latest version information. The software offered through the Creative Cloud desktop app is, by default, the latest available. In order to install an older version of an application using the Creative Cloud desktop app:

Click the menu button located in the top-right corner of the desktop app, which is next to a portrait image
Select "Preferences"

Click "Creative Cloud"
Click the "Apps" tab
Check the "Show Older Apps" checkbox

Click the back button near the top-left corner of the desktop app
On the "Apps" tab, click the downward-facing arrow next to the application you want to install
Click "Other Versions"

Select the older version of the application you want to install

Will the Creative Cloud desktop app automatically update my software?

No, but you will be notified about available updates for your software.