Licensing: How to Renew Expired Subscription License

Description

When software applications (e.g. Spectrus, Percepta, or ChemSketch) report expired registration keys, functionality may be restricted until the keys are renewed. This occurs when subscription-based licenses reach their expiration date. The renewal process depends on the license management mode in use:

• Broadcast Mode: Licenses are managed directly on individual machines or shared via a network drive.
• License Server Mode (Client-Server): Licenses are hosted on a centralized server and assigned to named users or seats (computers).

Follow the steps below to remove expired keys and activate new ones using the Registration utility.

Solution

Prerequisites (Applies to Both Modes)

• Valid subscription registration keys (provided by your vendor or license administrator).
• Administrative/elevated permissions on the workstation.

Broadcast Mode 

Use this workflow for standalone installations where licenses are managed directly on individual machines.

Steps

1. Open the Registration utility:

• Navigate to the software installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\<InstallationDirectory>\).
• Right-click REGISTER.EXE and select Run as administrator.

2. Remove expired keys:

• In the Registration dialog, select each key highlighted in red with an (expired) suffix.
• Click Delete button on the right to remove them. Note: Deleting keys for licensed components may temporarily disable those features until new keys are activated.

3. Add new keys:

• Click New and enter the valid subscription registration keys provided by your vendor or license team.
• Ensure all required components are included in the new keys.

4. Activate keys:

• Click Activate button in the Registration dialog. The activation should be automatically performed and give you the successful message.
• If auto-activation fails, carefully read the failure message.
• Verify internet connectivity and try again.
• Or perform manual activation.

5. Restart applications:

• Close the registration utility and relaunch the software to confirm normal operation.

License Server Mode (Client-Server)

Use this workflow for centralized license management, where licenses are hosted on a dedicated server and assigned to users or machines.

Steps

1. Open the Configuration window:

• In File Explorer, go to the License Server installation folder and navigate to LICENSE.SRV folder.
• Right-click ACDNMCFG.EXE and select Run as administrator.
• Click Save button to backup the current users/computers list along with assignments (restrictions).

2. Add New keys:

• In the Configuration window, in Registration Keys tab, Click New and enter the valid subscription registration keys provided by your vendor or license team.

3. Remove expired keys:

• Select each key highlighted in red with an (expired) suffix.
• Click Delete button on the right to remove them.

4. Activate New keys:

• Click Activate button in the Configuration window. The activation should be automatically performed and give you the successful message.
• If auto-activation fails, carefully read the failure message.
• Verify internet connectivity and try again.
• Or perform manual activation.

Verification (Applies to Both Modes)

• Launch the software and confirm no expiration warnings appear.

Note: Subscription licenses are time-bound and must be renewed periodically. Set reminders to update keys before expiration.