Why would someone risk downloading a repacked version of software? The reasons are varied and often practical:

Yes, it's a recurring cost. However, Adobe frequently offers the first month free, and the student plan is around $20/month. You also get Adobe Fonts, 100GB cloud storage, and Behance integration.

Users of the Portable version face unique technical limitations:

Because portable versions don't register properly with Windows, they often conflict with drivers (especially Wacom tablets) and antivirus software. Expect frequent crashes and corrupted save files.

Ironically, some legitimate IT professionals use portable software to recover or view vector files on damaged systems without altering the original environment.

adobe illustrator cc 2019 portable