How to install & log into the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application (for faculty/staff)

Summary

Instructions for MHC faculty and staff to download and install the Creative Cloud desktop app as well as the apps included in the license.

Body

Adobe Creative Cloud app icon Overview

Think of Adobe Creative Cloud as the central "App Store" for Adobe applications.

Using it, you can:

  • See the Adobe apps available based on your licensing
  • Install Adobe apps on your computer
  • Manage app updates

If you're having challenges launching an Adobe app (ex. Adobe Acrobat) you'll want to check that you're logged into the Creative Cloud app properly because it controls access to the other Adobe applications.

 

Download and install the Creative Cloud application

  1. Go to the Adobe CC download center
  2. Select Download Creative Cloud
  3. Save the installer to your downloads folder
  4. Go to your downloads folder and open the installer
  5. Follow the prompts to complete installation

 

Logging in

  1. Launch the Creative Cloud desktop application
  2. Type your full Mount Holyoke College email address into the email field and select the small blue Continue button to be redirected to the Blue and White MHC login screen
    • DO NOT USE the social sign in options (details in Gotchas & pitfalls section below)
  3. Enter your MHC username (no @mtholyoke.edu) and password and select Login
  4. If prompted, complete Duo MFA
  5. If prompted, select Company or School Account
  6. On the apps tab find the apps you want to install, and select Install
    • If you see buttons referencing a free trial rather than buttons that say "Install" try these troubleshooting steps

 

Gotchas & pitfalls

Social sign in

On the sign-in screen, you'll see options to continue with Apple, Google, and Facebook.

Avoid selecting these (especially Google) because you can inadvertently create a second account unaffiliated with the MHC enterprise license which will then prompt you to "Try/Buy" the Adobe products instead of installing them for free.

 

Organizational vs personal account

You may be prompted after signing in to select "Company or School Account" or "Personal Account". Please select "Company or School Account". 

 

New employees

New employees who sign in before their accounts have been fully provisioned in the Adobe console may not be able to access all the applications they will be able to once their account access is finalized. Provisioning Adobe licences is a manual process. If this persists more than a week after your first day, please create an Adobe CC support ticket. 

Details

Details

Article ID: 246
Created
Wed 7/12/23 4:58 PM
Modified
Tue 3/18/25 3:53 PM

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