Issue
On updating to the latest version of Lightroom Classic, end users are prompted to sign in to use their app. Enterprise end users may see that their app is running in trial mode and may be prompted to start a trial or purchase a subscription, if the app was deployed using enterprise serial numbers.
Resolution
This issue is expected to occur if the previous installation of Lightroom Classic (v7.x or earlier) was licensed and deployed by your admins using an enterprise serial number.
Lightroom Classic always performs an in-place update. That is, the previous installation is modified to enable the latest features and functionality. The latest versions of all Creative Cloud apps, including Lightroom Classic do not support serial numbers. Therefore, the latest app prompts users to sign in to continue using the app.
End users: Reinstall previous version of Lightroom Classic
If you've updated to the latest version of Lightroom Classic, you need to revert to the older version to continue using the software.
Ensure that you back up your catalog before reinstalling the app. For more information, see backup your catalogs.
- You can ask your IT Admin for a licensed package for the previous version of the app.
- On launch, if you’re prompted to sign-in or start a trial, click License this software and enter your enterprise serial number.
IT Admins: Re-deploy Lightroom Classic
Deploy the latest Lightroom Classic using modern licensing methods
As an IT Admin you can deploy the latest version of Lightroom Classic using a licensing method that works best for your organization or institution. Using these modern licensing methods, your end users can also leverage the power of the cloud-first apps such as Lightroom to accomplish their workflows.
For example, you can use named user licensing to create users in the Admin Console and then users can sign in to use all the latest Creative Cloud apps. For more information, see Enterprise licensing methods.
Redeploy Lightroom Classic (v7.x)
You may need to re-deploy Lightroom Classic (v7.x or earlier) by creating a serial number licensed package. For more information, see Creating serial number packages or Create license file. You can also disable the Help > Update option for these packages. However, disabling the Help > Update option applies to all apps on the computer.
Ensure that you back up your Catalog before reinstalling the app. For more information, see backup your catalogs.
Mitigation steps
If your organization or institution uses serial numbers to license Lightroom Classic, there are a few steps that you can take to ensure that your end users do not encounter this situation, until you've created and deployed alternative packages.
- DO send an advisory to end users to not update Lightroom Classic using the Help > Update menu command.
- DO NOT push the latest version of Lightroom Classic to end users using the Remote Update Manager (RUM).
- DO NOT enable Adobe Update Manager option in the packages.
For more information, contact your Adobe account executive or Adobe Customer Care.