How do students access Adobe software?

Adobe Instructions for Students

If you want to open and read PDF files you do not need to create an Adobe ID.

VIU Campus Computers- VIU has licensing for some Adobe Software. You need to create an Adobe ID to access these applications and services on VIU computers.
Click here to see a list of available software at VIU

Personal Computers -  You may need purchase an Software Plan on your Adobe ID to access Adobe software and services on your home or personal computer.

There is no charge to create an Adobe ID. You only need to pay if you need to purchase a Software Plan for your personal computer, or if VIU does not have a license for an application.
Your Adobe ID is not connected to your student record account or VIU computer account. Please contact Adobe Support for assistance with your Adobe ID.

Create an Adobe ID

If you want to open and read PDF files you do not need to create an Adobe ID.
You only need to create an Adobe ID to access paid Adobe products like Acrobat, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, Illustrator, etc.

When you create an Adobe ID you are agreeing to the Adobe General Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please ensure you review these documents before creating an account.

1. Go to the Adobe Account page
2. Click on Get an Adobe ID
3. Fill in the requested information
4. You will get an email from Adobe asking you to confirm your email to finish your account set-up

VIU Computer - Accessing Adobe Products in VIU Computer Labs

In order to access some Adobe software and services you must first have an Adobe ID as outlined in the previous section.

1. Log into a VIU campus computer with your VIU student computer account
2. Open the Adobe software you wish to access
3. You will be prompted to log in using your Adobe ID
4. Once you have logged in you will be able to access the software

Personal Computer - Purchase a Plan on your Adobe ID

VIU does not offer free access to Adobe products for students’ home or personal computers. In order to access Adobe software and services on your home or personal computer, you must purchase a plan from Adobe.  You will need to create the Adobe ID before you can purchase a plan.

1. Go to the Adobe website
2. Sign in with your Adobe ID
3. You will be prompted to Choose a Plan or Manage Account
4. Ensure the plan you choose includes all the Adobe products you will need to access before purchasing
   • Note: Some plans will only allow you to access Cloud software, others will allow you to download and install software