Adobe Creative Cloud - Logging in with Your UW-Madison Account

This document describes how to sign in to Adobe Creative Cloud with the UW-Madison enterprise license. This article applies to faculty/staff users covered under our site license as well as students who have requested access for classes or campus jobs (for eligible students, see here: Adobe Creative Cloud - Student Subscription FAQ).

How do I access Adobe Creative Cloud?

The Creative Cloud Desktop app is the best way to download, install, and update your Adobe Creative Cloud apps. Apps included in the UW-Madison ETLA is here: Adobe - Enterprise Term License Agreement (ETLA).
NEW 2/1/2024 - If you are experiencing a login loop, please look under "Tips for troubleshooting common login issues" below

Download Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud

Note: Using the Creative Cloud Desktop app downloaded from Adobe on your computer requires administrative rights. UW-Madison IT staff can build installation packages that don't require admin rights. DoIT VIP customers can use Departmental Support - BigFix Self-Service Options to install without needing admin rights.

How do I sign in to Adobe Creative Cloud with the UW-Madison license?

After you download, install, and launch the Creative Cloud Desktop app, you'll be presented with the Sign In screen.

  1. Type your NetID email (netid@wisc.edu) in the Email address field and click the blue Continue button. Do not use your first.last@wisc.edu email address.
  2. UW-Madison's NetID login screen will open, and you will log in with your NetID and NetID password.
  3. After you finish logging in with your NetID, you'll be returned to the Creative Cloud Desktop app with your available applications displayed. From there, you can install, update, or open the apps.
  4. If at any point you're presented with a choice between Personal Account and Company or School Account when signing in, choose Company or School Account (see image below).

Choose Adobe ID type

Your Adobe Federated account is completely separate from any other Adobe accounts you may have, even if prior Adobe accounts use your netid@wisc.edu email address. If you do have a prior Adobe account under your netid@wisc.edu email address, you'll be presented with a choice between Personal Account and Company or School Account when signing in. To access your Federated Account, choose Company or School Account.

Adobe Creative Cloud storage capacity

Always back up your files. Never store the only copy of a file in the cloud storage associated with your Creative Cloud subscription.

Please contact your IT support staff for assistance in backing up UW files, or follow this document for advice on backing up your personal files: Computing at UW - Backing up Your Personal Data.

Storage capacity is the 100 GB for UW-Madison licensed users and this cannot be increased. If you need a large amount of Adobe cloud storage, you can look into the individual Photography plan option at this link: Individual pricing plans. IMPORTANT NOTE: This will not integrate with your UW Adobe account and is a separate personal account. The cloud storage is not shared between them. There is no way to increase your UW Adobe cloud storage.

Software included in the ETLA

  • Acrobat DC (aka Acrobat Pro)
  • After Effects
  • Animate (the software previously known as Flash Professional)
  • Audition
  • Behance (mobile/web only)
  • Bridge
  • Captivate (separate subscription required through the Campus Software Library)
  • Character Animator
  • Dimension
  • Dreamweaver
  • Fireworks CS6
  • Flash Builder Premium
  • Fresco
  • Illustrator
  • InCopy
  • InDesign
  • Lightroom
  • Lightroom Classic
  • Media Encoder
  • Muse CC
  • Photoshop
  • Photoshop Express
  • Prelude
  • Premiere Pro
  • Premiere Rush
  • Scout CC
  • Spark
  • Substance 3D
  • Typekit
  • XD

Note: Stock, Sign, and Presenter are not included in the ETLA.

Tips for troubleshooting common login issues