Overview of the Life Cycle of a Node-Locked License

InstallShield 2024

The node-locked subscription licensing model requires that you activate InstallShield for the subscribed duration on your machine. It also requires periodic renewal based on the subscription duration, which occurs automatically in most cases if the InstallShield subscription is renewed on time. Activation and renewal verify that InstallShield has not been activated on more machines than allowed by the InstallShield EULA. If you are using the node-locked type of license, it is your responsibility to maintain your license on your machine.

The following information describes product activation and renewal, as well as different events that may occur for a license.

Product Activation

After you first launch InstallShield, the Activation Wizard opens. The wizard guides you through a series of steps to activate InstallShield. You enter a product activation code, which is used to authenticate the InstallShield license and unlock the product. The wizard first attempts an online activation. If online activation is unsuccessful, the wizard enables you to use the offline method (activation through a Web page that you can access from a different machine).

If you do not activate InstallShield the first time that you launch it, you have a limited number of days to use it before activation is necessary. The Activation Wizard shows the number of days that are left in your trial period.

Sometimes activation is not successful. The most common reason is that the activation code was used to activate InstallShield on another machine. The activation wizard protects the license in this case, preventing users from activating InstallShield on more machines than allowed by the EULA.

Product Renewal

Once the product has been activated, renewal is periodically required based on the subscription duration. Renewal is the process by which an activated product is updated for the new subscription duration and checked to verify that it is still installed according to the InstallShield EULA, and that it has not been activated on more machines than allowed.

InstallShield shows a warning message for the subscription expiration from one month before the expiration onwards. InstallShield also shows the subscription info on the InstallShield About dialog to remind you about the subscription renewal in order to continue using InstallShield.

Renewal typically occurs automatically, without any interaction on your part if the InstallShield subscription renewal is updated in the back office on time. On the expiry of the current subscription, the Activation Wizard sends a renewal request for your activation code to the activation server silently (that is, without displaying any user interface). The server receives the renewal request, and it validates the request. If the renewal request is valid, the server automatically notifies the Activation Wizard about the status, enabling the wizard to renew InstallShield for you.

If renewal cannot be automatically performed when needed (for example, if you do not have an Internet connection), the Activation Wizard is displayed when you launch InstallShield. At that point, the Activation Wizard lets you renew InstallShield using the same wizard that is used for activation. The wizard first attempts an online renewal. If online renewal is unsuccessful, the wizard enables you to use the off-line method. The off-line activation process for renewal is the same as that for activation.

Sometimes renewal is not successful. The most common reason is that the activation code was used to activate InstallShield on another machine. The Activation Wizard protects the license in this case, preventing users from activating InstallShield on more machines than allowed by the EULA.

License File Renewal

InstallShield Standalone Build requires a license file for node locked activation. Standalone Build license files can be managed via the Flexera / Revenera Product and License Center. The Product and License Center lets you download the installation, generate the license file, and return the license if you want to move the license to a different machine.

During product renewal, you need to regenerate the license file from the Product and License Center for InstallShield Standalone Build to reflect the new subscription duration.

Moving a License

If you obtain a new replacement machine, you can move your license from your old machine to your new machine.

In order to move your license to your new machine, you must first return your license to your account on the activation server. This process is sometimes referred to as deactivation. Returning the license makes it available again so that you can use your activation code for activation on a different machine. To learn how to return your license, see Returning a License to Your Account on the Activation Server.

Once you have returned your license, you can use the same activation code to activate the product on your new machine.

Important:There is a limit to the number of times that a license can be moved. InstallShield allows you to return the license back to the activation server four times per year. If you want to move the license beyond four times per year, contact your InstallShield sales or support representative.

Permanently Transferring a License

In some cases, it may be necessary to permanently transfer your license to a different user and machine in an organization. For example, if your responsibilities are changing and someone else will be creating installations in InstallShield, you may need to transfer your license to that employee. In order to transfer your license, you must first return your license to your account on the activation server. Returning the license makes it available again so that the new user can use your activation code for activation on a different machine. Note that the new user will need to activate InstallShield on their machine after they have installed it.

If a license is being permanently transferred to you, ensure that you contact your InstallShield sales or support representative and give them the updated registration information for the license. The registration information update is required in order to best serve you and to notify you about product updates and special offers.

Important:There is a limit to the number of times that a license can be permanently transferred. InstallShield allows you to return the license back to the activation server four times per year. If you want to permanently transfer the license beyond four times per year, contact your InstallShield sales or support representative.