If you do not have an older version of Illustrator installed, the community has preserved these libraries. You can find archives of the .acb files on public repositories.
Below is a detailed "white paper" style guide on how to source, install, and manage Pantone color books in Adobe Illustrator.
If you prefer to avoid a monthly subscription and still have access to classic Pantone Solid colors, you can install the legacy Pantone libraries that were previously included in older versions of Adobe software. This method is widely used by the design community and remains a free solution for those who already have access to the library files. download pantone colors for illustrator
If you've recently opened Illustrator and searched for the familiar Pantone color books, you might have been confused to find them gone. This wasn't an error or a bug, but a permanent change.
No matter which path you take, Pantone colors are still very much usable in Adobe Illustrator. While the split between Adobe and Pantone created a new challenge for the design community, it also opened the door to creative workarounds and a more flexible approach to color management. If you do not have an older version
/Users/[Username]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator [Version] Settings/[Language]/Swatches/ Restart Illustrator.
files into the same folder in your current Illustrator version's directory. If you prefer to avoid a monthly subscription
For users with the latest version of Illustrator and a valid Pantone license, the Pantone Connect panel is the industry standard.