Error License Has Expired When You Start Adobe Photoshop CS3 Suites

When you attempt to start Adobe CS3 applications, you receive the error message: "License has expired," and the application does not start. This issue occurs when an Adobe CS3 Suite or stand-alone application is installed after the public beta version of a CS3 application has been removed. When you remove the public beta, you must also deactivate it before you attempt to install the retail version of an Adobe CS3 Suite or application. If you do not deactivate, the system retains your serial number information and automatically enters it into the appropriate spaces in the Adobe CS3 setup application.

 Solution

 Replace the Adobe CS3 beta or pre-release serial number with your retail serial number.

1. Remove the CS3 application:

• On Windows XP: Remove CS3 using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.
• On Windows Vista: From the Programs And Features section of the Control Panel, select the  Adobe CS3 application or Suite and click Uninstall/Change.
• On Mac OS: Open the uninstaller from Applications/Utilities/Adobe Installers.

Important: 

Before you uninstall the software, make sure that you have the installation media to reinstall it. Replacement media isn’t available for previous versions of Adobe software.

2. Download and run the Adobe CS3Clean Script from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/support/contact/cs3clean.html.

3. Locate and remove any remaining cache.db files:

• On Windows XP and Windows Vista, the cache.db file is located in Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD\cache
• On Mac OS X, the cache.db file is located in Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PCD/cache

Important:  

After you delete the cache.db file, you must re-enter the serial numbers for your other existing Adobe products.

Reinstall the Adobe CS3 Suite or stand-alone application and enter the serial number from your retail version.