Updated: 28-August-2023

 

---

 

❗ EVERYTHING BELOW IS FOR WINDOWS ONLY

Please read the guides completely before doing anything

We simply try to extend your experimental phase a little longer than the usual, before you are professionally and financially capable of going the traditional route.

If you think something is wrong or needs improvement, please send a message to the mods, the more specific the better!

 

---

 

⭐ DOWNLOAD DIRECTORY

CC + Genp - (scroll to guide #2)

🔗 Creative Cloud CLEANER TOOL

🔗 Creative Cloud (CC)

🔗 GenP 2.7 - Old

🔗 GenP 3.0 - Standard

🔗 GenP 3.0 - Modded

🔗 CCStopper

🔗 Acropolis

Monkrus - (scroll to guide #7)

🔗 qbittorrent

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Lightroom Classic

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Photoshop

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Firefly AI Support

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Illustrator

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Premiere Pro

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Media Encoder

Must be compatible with the same version of Premiere / After Effects

🔗 Monkrus Individual - After Effects

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Animate

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Character Animator

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Acrobat PRO

Get the x64 versions only

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Substance

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Audition

🔗 Monkrus Individual - XD

🔗 Monkrus Individual - InDesign

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Speech to Text Add-on for Premiere

Must be compatible with the same version of Premiere

read description of Speech-to-Text in the forum, tells which premiere version it got extracted from

🔗 Monkrus Collection 2023 - (All-Apps-Package 23GB)

 

---

 

► Guide #1 - How to whitelist files

- Thanks Matteoki

• On Windows Defender:

1. Click the windows key

2. Write "[ Settings ]"

3. Go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection

4. Click "[ Manage settings ]"

5. Scroll Down and click on "[ Add or remove exclusions ]"

6. Click "[ Add an exclusion and choose folder ]"

7. Locate the folder and click "[ Select folder ]"

 

• On Google-Chrome:

1. On an empty page press "[ CTRL+J ]"

2. Click "[ Conserve ]" on the blocked file

 

• On Anti-Viruses (AV):

Norton

Avast

Malwarebytes

Mcafee

Bitdefender

 

---

 

🤡 Guide #2 - Dummy Guide for First Timers GenP (CC + GenP)

Video Tutorial: Updated Guide #2 - CC+GenP - Video outdated due to new versions of Genp, CCstopper and others

DOWNLOADS NEEDED

🔗 Creative Cloud (CC)

🔗 GenP 3.0 - Modded

🔗 CCStopper

 

⚠️ Attention: If you are having "Unlicensed popups | App will be disabled | Not loading or looping CC"

 

Instructions to CC + Genp picture guides only visible in desktop

1. Download Genp 3 - Modded, CCStopper, and extract ALL contents from zip

Antivirus may sometimes delete or move files into quarantine.

You can either whitelist as safe or disable antivirus while extracting. This will fix the issue of .exe not showing in the folder after extracted.

 

2. Download & Install Creative Cloud

Create a free account or use one you already have, preferably without any ongoing subscription (avoid problems)

During setup, if possible do NOT install AGS (Adobe Genuine Service)

Disable Auto-Update on it's settings if possible.

Once that is done go Menu > File > Exit Creative Cloud

 

3. Replace Try with Install buttons using the Modded Utilities.

Go to the default folder for adobe in your file Explorer:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\AppsPanel

 

Create a folder inside it named "BACKUP" and move the following files (If you have them) to it:

AppsPanel.pimx, AppsPanelBL.dll and AppsPanellL.dll

(in case you want to restore them to default at a later date)

 

Go to Genp 3 - Modded > Utilities > restore install buttons [beta], there will be another 2 "AppsPanel" files. You will copy these into the default AppsPanel folder (NOT THE BACKUP ONE).

 

4. Use CCStopper to block ADS via Firewall (blocking internet)

Run CCstopper as admin. - You should be shown a menu with the following options which you must hit using the keyboard.

(2) for Internet Patch

(1) for Firewall Block.

Once that is done, you can select (Q) to quit CCStopper.

 

❗ PAY ATTENTION - Firewall Rules should be in effect, therefore they won't let Creative Cloud load or Update (this is intentional).

⚠️ If antivirus is managing firewall settings, then you must create them in your antivirus firewall settings instead and not on windows (whichever it is must be ON for the rules to take effect) .

 

💡 Turn Windows Firewall OFF, then open Creative Cloud and wait for it to load, once its loaded then turn Windows Firewall ON

Repeat this process everytime you need to download other apps but get server error

 

(If you do not care for the explanation of it, you may Skip to Step 5)

 

ℹ️ Informational purpose only of step 4

Explanation of what CCstopper does automatically with the use of the firewall rule

Basically you are allowing internet access to Creative Cloud to load properly and blocking it again, by disabling and enabling the firewall rules.

Later you can disable, enable or delete them depending on your needs.

• OUTBOUND: Stops information from leaving PC to the Server, helps bypass Credit Card prompt.

• INBOUND: Stops information coming from Server to PC, helps bypass the trial countdown or app will be disabled prompt.

 

How to add the same rules to firewall manually.

Go to Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings

Create Outbound rules on the following:

Path of ADS - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\ADS\Adobe Desktop Service.exe

Path of Licensing - C:\ProgramFiles\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\NGL\adobe_licensing_wf.exe

Path of Licensing helper - C:\ProgramFiles\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\NGL\adobe_licensing_wf_helper.exe

 

How to create it:

• Rule type: Program

• Program: (Paste the directory above and select the application.exe)

• Action: Block the connection

• Profile: All

• Name: (Choose a name that you will remember what it does)

 

• The ADS rule is what causes Creative Cloud to take longer to load, not load at all or constantly loop, but its necessary to get in the app without triggering the CreditCard popup.

Just remember that

• Disabled: CreativeCloud works like normaly, but you cant download due to CreditCard popup.

• Enabled: The opposite happens, free to download but its stubborn a bit.

END of Informational purpose only of step 4

 

5. Install Apps you want (Trial and Error)

If the buttons didn't get replaced with install, click on Try nonetheless and see if it starts downloading.

Install all the apps you want in one go but don't open them yet. Wait until everything is installed, don't rush.

✨ For Generative Fill PS (temporary)

• Account must be set as higher than 18 years old

Only working for now in Beta version of Photoshop

In CC go on Apps > Categories > Beta Apps > Photoshop Beta

Be aware: This is BETA and requires access to servers, so we're not going through the trouble of trying to figure out to make it work.

 

6. Run GenP on the installed apps

Open GenP folder > Resources > Run GenP file

If you're having issues opening it, turn AntiVirus OFF and try again, however don't forget to turn it back ON before selecting Try or Download.

Click "Search Files" and wait. (will look at the default locations, use custom path if installed somewhere else)

You can de-select paths in case you have any versions you dont want to patch. (in case of using Monkrus Acrobat)

Finally click the PILL to run the patch.

Everything should be working now

OPEN THE APPS THROUGH THE .EXE and NOT FROM CC

 

➜ Optional - Block Each Installed app via Firewall

(Case of issues like app will be disabled, day counter, unable to launch app due to some popup)

Go to Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings

Create Inbound and Outbound rule on each app with issues

Typical path example would be: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2022\Photoshop.exe

Find the proper path for the one you need.

 

➜ Optional - Block AGS via Firewall - (similar to step 4)

Create both Inbound and Outbound rules on Adobe Genuine Service

Path of AGS - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\AdobeGenuineClient\AGSService.exe

 

⚠️ ATTENTION

Always check first the monthly Compatibility List before updating any apps, otherwise don't update.

If you want to install / update more apps, hit "Install/Update" on New app, let it download, and run GenP on them again.

 

---

 

☢️ Guide #4 - NOTHING IS WORKING / FULL CLEANING

Video Tutorial (0 to 7:20 only)

DOWNLOADS NEEDED

🔗 Creative Cloud CLEANER TOOL

Another option (but not covered below)

🔗 RevoUninstaller

 

⚠️ Attention - please read

If you been having, continue to have issues overall or simply want to restore to normal. We would advise to remove everything adobe related, and start all fresh.

Any brushes, patterns, plugins or other assets should be saved/exported to folders outside adobe main folders.

Referring to master files where all edits are done such as .psd, .ai, .ae, etc...

Export and save them into a dedicated folder if you dont have it.

 

Instructions to Fully Clean:

1. Remove any trace of ALL Adobe

Run Adobe Cleaner Tool in ALL | (E, Y, 1, Clean All, Y)

Check Windows Control Panel > Uninstall, and see if the app was removed successfully, otherwise remove it there manually.

 

2. Delete Adobe folders from your disk drive

C:\Program files

C:\Program files\common files

C:\Program files x86

C:\Program files x86\common files

%appdata%\local

%appdata%\local\temp

%appdata%\roamming

 

3. Registry Editor

Windows key, write "registry editor" should show up

On HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Look for Software and delete Adobe.

 

4. Remove Windows Firewall rules or Host File lines

For Windows Firewall

Go to Windows > Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings

Check both in Inbound and Outbound

Remove or disable any rules blocking adobe processes or services, could be named with CCStopper or any other name you gave them.

If you created these in your AntiVirus, you'll have to do the same there.

 

For Host File

Go to %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc

Right-click on "hosts" file, "Open with notepad" and remove all the lines related to "# BLOCK ADOBE #" in this post, save the file and reboot your system:

 

DEFAULT HOST LINES - You can copy-and-paste it

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.

#

# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

#

# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

# space.

#

# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.

#

# For example:

#

# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost

 

5. Restart the PC

Adobe should not be in your system, and if you install it again it will behave normally 🙂

 

---

 

► Guide #6 - Remove "Trial Expires in XX Days" / "Trial Ended" / "Trial Popup" Banner

- Thanks songmj36, Lian, Louis

THIS IS ONLY AESTHETIC! IF THE PATCH WORKS, AFTER TRIAL ENDS THE APP CONTINUES TO WORK. Don't lose your head because its counting down or says it ended.

1. Remove "Trial Expires in XX Days" Banner

Edit (as admin) the file located in

For Photoshop and others: Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\UXP\extensions\com.adobe.ccx.start\css\styles.css

For Illustrator: Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 20XX\Support Files\Required\UXP\extensions\com.adobe.ccx.start\css\styles.css

For 4.3.0 search for {"background-color":"#1473E6"} replace with {"display":"none"}

For 4.2.0 or below: search for {background-color:#1473E6} replace with {display:none}

⚠️ ATTENTION: Color code has changed NEW -> background-color:#D7373F

 

2. Remove "Trial Ended" Banner

Edit (as admin) the file located in

For Photoshop and others: Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\UXP\extensions\com.adobe.ccx.start\css\styles.css

After a certain update on Photoshop, the location of the "css" becomes the same path as Illustrator, but for Adobe Photoshop 20XX.

For Illustrator: Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 20XX\Support Files\Required\UXP\extensions\com.adobe.ccx.start\css\styles.css

For 4.3.0 search for {"background-color":"#e34859"} replace with {"display":"none"}

For 4.2.0 or below: search for {background-color:#e34859} replace with {display:none}

⚠️ ATTENTION: Color code has changed NEW -> background-color:#D7373F

 

3. Remove Trial Popup: (example: No UXP folder found)

- Thanks u/narcarsiss

This is for Adobe 2020, but may work with other installs.

Confirmed working for InDesign, Photoshop and Dreamweaver!

Navigate to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\AdobeGCClient\locales

Remove your Language for me I removed:

example: "en-US.pak" and "en-GB.pak"

No more trial popup :)

 

---

 

🐒 Guide #7 - Monkrus Individual / Collection (Easiest Method)

• Video Tutorial: Monkrus Individual / Collection Install

- Thanks throwaway4rule34

DOWNLOAD NEEDED

🔗 Torrent Software - qbittorrent

ADDITIONAL DOWNLOAD OPTIONS (most recent sorted by release-date)

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Lightroom Classic

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Photoshop

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Firefly AI Support

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Illustrator

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Premiere Pro

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Media Encoder

Check description in tracker for compatibility with Premiere / After Effects versions

🔗 Monkrus Individual - After Effects

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Animate

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Character Animator

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Acrobat PRO

Get the x64 versions only

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Substance

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Audition

🔗 Monkrus Individual - XD

🔗 Monkrus Individual - InDesign

🔗 Monkrus Individual - Speech to Text Add-on for Premiere

Check description in tracker for compatibility with Premiere / After Effects versions - "extracted from ... version"

🔗 Monkrus Collection 2023 - (All-Apps-Package 23GB)

 

⚠️ DO NOT RUN GENP ON MONKRUS

If switching completely from CC+GenP to Monkrus, please run GUIDE 4 to clean everything, as you want a clean slate to avoid problems with leftover files from the other method.

 

Instructions to Install Monkrus Individual / Collection:

1. Download and Install the Torrent Software - qbittorrent

 

2. Choose which one you want: Monkrus Collection OR Individual App of choice from the Download links

⚠️ AntiVirus may have blacklisted the site causing it to not "load / could not reach url", if you disabled AV should load normally.

To translate the page to your language - on the top-right says "Translate with flags icons",

Go down until you find "DOWNLOAD FROM THE TORRENT TRACKER OF YOUR CHOICE"

 

On Rutracker:

Requires registration for the magnet link to appear.

Small Magnet Icon (should be right in the middle of the page) or download the .torrent file and then open it with Torrent Software to extract it.

 

On PB.WTF:

Does not require registration

"Magnet ссылка" on the right (next to green and blue buttons)

 

Let it download. (once it says "Seeding", it's been downloaded)

 

3. Go to the downloaded folder, find the "disk or .iso file", double-click to open and run "autoplay.exe" as ADMINISTRATOR.

For individual: Proceed with the install setup.

For collection: Select the apps you want to install (you don't need all).

⚠️ Attention - Majority apps should work without any account signed in (cloud-based might need)

 

If the install window doesn't show up or Errors (failed to...)

Turn anti-virus OFF for the installation process - that may be preventing the window from showing up (may be windows defender or other AV you have). You may turn it back on after the install.

 

4. Once everything is installed and working properly you can EJECT the DVDdrive found at "MyComputer / This PC"

The DVDdrive is created when you open the ".iso" file, which is in fact a virtual installation CD - It has no other purpose besides that.

You may also delete or not the files extracted from the torrent (installer). Up to you if you want to keep them.

 

🪙 To update Monkrus just install the newer version on top of the old one

 

---

 

► Guide #8 - Blocking unnecessary Adobe Background processes(PS/DC)

- Thanks u/Verix-

For Photoshop

All you have to do is rename these 4 exe-files.

1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Sync\CoreSync\CoreSync.exe

2. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud Experience\CCXProcess.exe

3. C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\ADS\Adobe Desktop Service.exe

4. C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Creative Cloud Libraries\CCLibrary.exe

--> Just add another letter after the ".exe".

For example: "CoreSync.exe"-->"CoreSync.exeW"

(If you dont see ".exe" in the file name, you need to make the file name extensions visible in your explorer)

---

For Acrobat DC

All you have to do is rename these exe-file.

1. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\AdobeCollabSync.exe

--> Just add another letter after the ".exe".

For example: "AdobeCollabSync.exe"-->"AdobeCollabSync.exeV"

(If you dont see ".exe" in the file name, you need to make the file name extensions visible in your explorer)

FOR UPDATES ON ALL:

In order to update Creative Cloud, its recommended reverting at least the name change of C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\ADS\Adobe Desktop Service.exe.

To update the other apps, you should undo all changes to be on the safe side.

 

---

 

► Guide #9 - Fix Neural filters not available in Photoshop

• Thanks u/Verix- , from GenP Discord.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\"YourUsername"\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\UXP\ or hit Win+R and type in "%appdata%".

2. Delete the folder "PluginsStorage".

3. Restart Photoshop and run it as administrator.

4. Download the neural filters you need.

 

• If the button is greyed out, go on.

1. Close Photoshop and Creative Cloud if they're open.

2. Open Task Manager and make sure that there are no Adobe-related processes running in the background. If there are, end those processes.

3. Open Creative Cloud and log out of your account.

4. Close Creative Cloud and make sure that it's no longer running in the background.

5. Open Creative Cloud again and log in to your account.

6. Close Creative Cloud and make sure that it's no longer running in the background.

7. Open Photoshop and check if the Neural Filters option is now available. If it's not, try loading an image and checking again.

 

---

 

📑 Guide #10 OUTDATED - ACROPOLIS: ADOBE ACROBAT PRO DC (Standalone/CC-less)

• Thanks u/Verix- , from GenP Discord.

DOWNLOADS NEEDED

🔗 Acropolis

 

⚠️ ATTENTION

• Supports Acrobat Pro | Version 23.003.20201) | 64-bit

• This method may be outdated after the next Acrobat update, so it is recommended to visit the Discord server for the latest information.

• It was created and tested as a standalone version, but should also work with Creative Cloud/GenP/Monkrus installed.

• Before starting, make sure there is no Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installed on your computer.

• Don't use GenP to patch this version of Acrobat!

• If you are facing problems, try disabling your antivirus temporarily.

 

---

Instructions to Acropolis:

1. Download and extract Acropolis.

2. Right-click on the batch file and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.

3. The script will now run and perform the necessary actions.

4. The official Acrobat DC Pro setup will start. Make sure to leave everything on default and do NOT close the installer. After the installation, click FINISH!

 

Optional, but recommended: Avoid updates and disable updates in Acrobat settings.

Go to Acrobat: Edit > Preferences > Updater. Uncheck everything and click OK.

 

---

 

🛟 ❮ Return to r/Genp

☠️ ❮ Return to Wiki