"This unlicensed Adobe app has been disabled" fix

All Adobe software includes a client called "Adobe Genuine Service" which periodically verifies whether installed Adobe apps are genuine or not, and if set off, said software will be disabled after a 10 day grace period. That said, there's no need to panic!
Below are three different methods you can choose from to get rid of this alert or prevent it to begin with.

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Method #1

WINDOWS win

  1. Close all Adobe software
  2. Navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe
  3. Delete the "AdobeGCClient" folder

MAC mac

  1. Close all Adobe software
  2. Navigate to: Finder > Your Mac Name > Library > Application Support > Adobe
  3. Delete the "AdobeGCClient" folder

(READ) This method is the least effective as GCC can re-create itself periodically. If you're unable to find "AdobeGCClient", don't dwell on it and move onto the next two methods which are known to be more effective.


Method #2

Blocking the targeted software from connecting to the internet is effective as it prevents Adobe Genuine Service from being able to verify your licensing status.

WINDOWS win

You can easily do this by setting up some firewall rules.

  1. Open "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security"
  2. Click “Outbound Rules” on the left side
  3. Click “New Rule..” on the right side
  4. Select your Adobe application(s), for example, "AfterFX.exe" for After Effects which is normally located at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects (version)\Support Files
  5. Select “Block the Connection” and name the rule whatever you want
  6. If the alert still appears, repeat the same steps but this time set up an "Inbound" rule

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Notes

  • You must block the actual exe, not a shortcut (for example, desktop apps) to the exe in order for this to work. Shortcuts icons have arrows on them.
  • If you have a third party software managing your firewall (how do I check?), you'll have to block the app inside that specific software for this to work.

Alternatively, you can automatically block all Adobe firewalls by running this script. Do note that this is not reccomended if you're paying for any Adobe software.

  1. Download the script (Download ZIP, top right)
  2. Extract the zip folder
  3. Open the folder and run the .bat as administrator.
  4. Wait for it to complete, then you are done.

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MAC mac

Since blocking outgoing connections unfortunately isn't a feature available on MacOS yet, you will need to download a third party software in order to achieve this.

LuLu is one of the best free firewall app for MacOS. Looking for an alternative? Radio Silence is very user friendly and only cost $9 USD, though can be cracked.

Instructions (LuLu)

  1. Allow all existing applications when installing
  2. Click "add rule" and select your Adobe Software
  3. Select block, save the rule and you're done!

~ If the alert still shows after using LuLu or an alternative,

  1. Open Security & Privacy in Mac settings
  2. Under Firewall select "Firewall Options"
  3. Click the plus icon and select your Adobe software
  4. Select "block incoming connections" and click OK

(READ) In rare cases this method can cause Adobe apps to randomly crash which doesn't occur otherwise. If this applies to you, undo the previous steps and try the next method or use a different firewall software if on MacOS.


Method #3

This final method consists of blocking individual IPs that are linked to GCC, rather than blocking the software's internet connection as a whole. This method may require occasional updating as Adobe goes under new IPs, but is very effective and only blocks what is necessary, allowing users to keep access to any online only tools.

WINDOWS win

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator and paste this command: Stop-Process -Name "Adobe Desktop Service" -force, if it says it cannot find the process, don't worry and continue to the next step
  2. Open Notepad as Administrator, click "file" in the top left hand corner, then "open"
  3. Head to the following location, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc, and make sure to select "All file types (.)", NOT "Text (.txt)"
  4. Select the file named "host" and click open
  5. On a blank line below all existing text, copy and paste the following list of IPs found at https://a.dove.isdumb.one/list.txt and save, done!

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MAC mac

  1. Open Terminal and paste this command: sudo nano /etc/hosts, enter your password when requested.
  2. On a blank line under all existing text, copy and paste the following list of IPs found at https://a.dove.isdumb.one/list.txt, press CTRL + X then Y to save
  3. In a new terminal, paste this command: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and click enter
  4. Restart your computer and the alert should be gone

VIDEO TUTORIAL

(READ) As stated previously, Adobe switches to new IP adresses every so often meaning that your "disabled" alert may re appear later. No need to sweat though, as the list of IPs above is frequently updated. Just repeat the same steps to include any new IPs in your host.


Edit
Pub: 17 Jun 2024 13:29 UTC
Edit: 16 Sep 2024 21:04 UTC
Views: 2120