Autodesk AutoCAD Services & Support

Autodesk Product Activation FAQs

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Answers to the most frequently asked questions about activating Autodesk products.

What is Product Activation?

Activation is the process of verifying the serial number and product key of an Autodesk product, and licensing it to run on a specific computer.  Activation is initiated the first time the product is launched and if you are connected to the Internet, the process is completed automatically.

Why is product activation necessary?

Product activation is an important part of licensing Autodesk software.  The process protects both your rights as a consumer and our rights as a software developer by verifying that you have installed a genuine Autodesk product and that it has not been activated on more computers than are allowed by your Software License Agreement.


Is product activation the same as product registration?

No. They are different, but connected, procedures. Product activation is a process that verifies your product serial number and product key and licenses it to run on your machine. Product registration is a separate process where you create an Autodesk ID associated with an individual or company account and which prevents unauthorized use of your product by another person.  Learn how to activate and register Autodesk software.

Do I need to be online to activate Autodesk software?

No. However, we recommend that you do activate your software over the Internet because it is the easiest and fastest method.  Manual activation can be done offline; however, this process can take up to two business days as you will have to contact Autodesk for Activation Assistance.

How long does product activation take?

Online activation takes only a few minutes to complete, while manual (offline) activation can take up to two business days.

What happens if I don't activate my product?

Most Autodesk products have a "grace period" of 30 days, during which you can use the software without activation.  However, after this period ends the software will stop working until you activate it.


Will reinstalling the software provide a new grace period?

No. Only one initial grace period is supported per product, per computer.


What if I use more than one computer to do my work? How many activations are permitted per license?

We understand you may need to use the software when you are away from your usual work location—for example, while working from home. Therefore, most Stand Alone Autodesk products can be installed and activated on a second computer owned or controlled by you (the software license owner). The software may only be used by you and only one of the two copies may be used at one time. Consult your Autodesk Software License Agreement for complete details about using the software on a second computer.


What if I get a new computer, can I still use the software?

Yes. Most Autodesk products (starting with 2010 releases) include a License Transfer Utility (LTU) that enables online transfer of stand-alone licenses from one machine to another.  The LTU can be used to transfer your license to a temporary machine (for repairs or when working in the field) or when permanently switching to a new machine.  For more information, see How to Transfer Stand-Alone Autodesk Licenses.

Will reformatting my hard drive have any impact on my software license?

Yes. Replacing or reconfiguring hardware on your computer can invalidate your Autodesk license, requiring you to reactivate it before you will be able to use it again.  You can avoid this problem by using the LTU to transfer your license online before making any major system changes. For more information, see our Product Reactivation FAQs.

Does the activation process ever send data to Autodesk after I activate my product?

No. After you have finished the activation process, no data will be transmitted to Autodesk.  The only time data would need to be resent, is if product reactivation is required.


When manually activating mutiple software seats (licenses), do I need multiple activation codes?

Yes. Each software seat (except those managed with a network license server) requires a unique activation code. You cannot use an activation code from one machine on another machine.


I use a network license to manage my Autodesk software licenses. How does this affect product activation?

Product activation only applies to stand-alone and multi-seat stand-alone licenses for most Autodesk products and is not required for network licenses. However, selecting the wrong license type during installation (such as “Stand-Alone”) can prevent you from installing your network license on multiple computers.



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  • Document Information

    Published date: 2012-Aug-20
    ID: GS18513720

     

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