The reality is harsh: While you can legally download it if you already own a license, the hoops you must jump through (phone activation, compatibility modes, VM software) make it impractical for most users.
Adobe no longer actively sells CS5, but you can download it if you already own a license or are looking for archival versions: download adobe illustrator cs5
Once you have the installer file, the process is straightforward, but there are a few hurdles to keep in mind. The reality is harsh: While you can legally
Despite Adobe’s aggressive push toward its Creative Cloud (CC) subscription model, CS5 maintains a cult following for three key reasons: the process is straightforward