How to Transfer an Acrobat Pro 2017 License from Mac to Windows
Question details
The user needs to move a perpetual Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 license from a macOS device to a Windows device.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- macOS and Windows
- Scenario
- Switching operating systems while attempting to retain access to a previously purchased perpetual PDF software license.
- Observed behavior
- Perpetual licenses are locked to a specific platform (Mac or Windows), preventing the installation of a Mac-licensed software version on a Windows computer.
Ensure you have your original Acrobat Pro 2017 serial number and the login credentials for the Adobe ID associated with the purchase before contacting support.
Request a Platform Exchange via Adobe Customer Support
Since perpetual licenses are platform-specific, you must officially request a platform exchange from Adobe to switch your license from Mac to Windows.
Acrobat Pro 2017 is a perpetual license, meaning it is permanently tied to the operating system it was purchased for. You cannot simply use the Mac serial number on a Windows installer.
Adobe occasionally offers a 'platform exchange' for users switching operating systems, though this is subject to approval and product lifecycle policies (Acrobat 2020 is the newer perpetual version).
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 on your Mac. Go to the 'Help' menu and select 'Sign Out' or 'Deactivate' to disconnect the license from your current machine.
Visit the Adobe Support website and start a live chat or call their customer service. Request a 'Mac to Windows Platform Exchange' for your Acrobat Pro 2017 license.
Once Adobe approves the exchange and issues a new Windows-compatible serial number, download the Acrobat Pro 2017 installer for Windows, run it, and enter your new serial number.
Switch to an Adobe Acrobat Subscription
If a platform exchange is denied, migrating to a subscription model bypasses platform restrictions entirely.
Avoid Platform Restrictions with WPS Office
Struggling with platform-locked software licenses? WPS Office offers a powerful, cross-platform PDF editor and a complete office suite that works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android without requiring separate platform purchases.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installer for your Windows or Mac computer.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite, then open WPS Office.
- 3. Edit Your PDFs: Click on the 'PDF' tab to open, edit, merge, or convert your PDF files effortlessly across any operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my perpetual Acrobat Pro 2017 serial number on both Mac and Windows?
No. Perpetual licenses for Adobe Acrobat are platform-specific. A serial number issued for macOS will not activate the Windows installer. You must either request a platform exchange or purchase a new license.
Does Adobe still offer platform exchanges for Acrobat 2017?
Platform exchanges are typically only offered for the current version of the software. Since Acrobat 2020 is the newer version, Adobe Support may deny an exchange for 2017 and recommend an upgrade instead.
How is an Acrobat subscription different from a perpetual license?
An Acrobat subscription is linked to your Adobe account rather than a specific operating system. This allows you to log in and use the software on either Mac or Windows interchangeably, subject to Adobe's active device limits.
Can I keep my old Acrobat XI on my Windows PC?
Yes, you can leave an older version like Acrobat XI installed on your Windows PC. However, Adobe no longer supports Acrobat XI, which may pose security risks or compatibility issues with newer operating systems.
