How to Fix “Adobe Software Is Not Genuine” on Windows 10

If Windows 10 keeps showing an “Adobe software is not genuine” warning, the right fix is to correct the license or installation problem—not disable Adobe’s validation service. Adobe says the Adobe Genuine Service (AGS) checks installed Adobe apps for license validity and software integrity. If it detects a non-genuine or modified copy, it can display warnings and Adobe may eventually disable that app. See Adobe’s Genuine software FAQ for the current policy.

If you already pay for Creative Cloud, work through the steps below. They refresh your Adobe sign-in, correct Windows settings that can interfere with licensing, update Adobe components, and remove old or unlicensed copies that may still be installed.

1. Confirm that your Adobe plan and account are correct

First, sign in to your Adobe account and confirm that the expected plan is active. If your subscription was suspended because of a payment problem, update the billing method before troubleshooting the PC. If the computer belongs to a company or school, ask the administrator which Adobe profile or organization account you should use.

If the warning names an older Adobe installation or a serial-number product that you did not install yourself, do not assume your current Creative Cloud subscription covers it. Adobe specifically recommends removing unlicensed versions before downloading a genuine copy.

2. Sign out of Creative Cloud, then sign back in

1. Save your work and close open Adobe apps.
2. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app from the Windows taskbar.
3. Select the account icon in the upper-right corner and choose Sign out.
4. Sign in again with the Adobe ID that owns the active plan. If Adobe offers multiple personal, business, or school profiles, choose the profile that contains the license you need.
5. Open the affected Adobe app again.

Adobe recommends signing out and back in when licensing or subscription information is not refreshing correctly. Its current guidance is documented in Creative Cloud subscription troubleshooting.

3. Correct the Windows 10 date, time, and time zone

Licensing checks can fail when the PC clock is significantly wrong. In Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. Turn on Set time automatically. Make sure the time zone is correct, then use Sync now if it is available.

Microsoft documents these settings in its Windows date and time guide. After correcting the clock, restart Creative Cloud and try the Adobe app again.

4. Update Creative Cloud and the affected Adobe app

Do not delete AGSService, Adobe Genuine folders, or Adobe updater tasks just to make the message disappear. That does not make an invalid installation genuine and can leave Adobe components damaged or unable to update.

Instead, open Creative Cloud, go to Apps, open Manage updates, and select Check for updates. Install the available updates, then restart the PC if Adobe asks you to. Adobe’s current instructions are in Check for app updates. Adobe also documents cases where updating Creative Cloud repairs a damaged Adobe Genuine Service component.

5. Remove old or unlicensed Adobe copies and reinstall from Adobe

If the genuine-software warning remains, look for an older, modified, or separately installed copy of the same Adobe product. Adobe recommends uninstalling unlicensed versions before installing a genuine copy.

1. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app and select Apps.
2. Find the app under your installed apps.
3. Select the More actions menu and choose Uninstall.
4. When asked, choose whether to keep or remove app preferences. If you are troubleshooting a suspicious or damaged installation, removing preferences can give you a cleaner reset, but back up any presets or plug-ins you need first.
5. Restart Windows, sign in to Creative Cloud, and reinstall the app from Adobe.

Adobe’s current uninstall steps are available in Uninstall Creative Cloud apps.

If uninstalling or reinstalling still fails

For a corrupted installation that will not uninstall cleanly, Adobe provides the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool for advanced troubleshooting. Adobe recommends backing up important files and settings before using it. Follow the official preparation instructions for the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool, then reinstall Creative Cloud and the affected app from Adobe.

Contact Adobe Support or your organization’s IT administrator if the warning persists after a clean reinstall while your plan is active. This is especially important if Adobe reports a blocked serial number, the license belongs to a business or school, or the software came from a reseller and you need to verify that the license is legitimate.

What not to do

Avoid old workarounds that stop or delete Adobe Genuine Service, remove Adobe licensing folders, or delete updater services merely to hide the notification. Those steps can suppress a symptom without fixing the license, interfere with updates, and the warning may return. The durable fix is to use a valid Adobe license, keep the system clock and Creative Cloud components healthy, and reinstall any app that Adobe identifies as unlicensed or modified.