Autodesk 2017: Resetting or Changing Your Licensing on Installed Software

In previous years, switching Autodesk applications from single-user (formerly “Standalone”) to multi-user (formerly “Network”), or vice versa, was a difficult task. In some cases it involved changing a registry key; in other cases, such as Revit, the software had to be uninstalled and reinstalled.

2017 applications now include a much easier and user-friendly way to switch between single- and multi-user licensing.

In the past, you needed to determine whether the application would be installed as single- or multi-user during the installation process. When making a deployment, that is still the case; the deployment will stipulate the serial number, product key, and license type.

2017 introduces the Let’s Get Started panel. The first time you run a 2017 application after installation, you will see the window which asks you to choose your license type.

If you wanted to change the license after installation, some applications (such as AutoCAD) could switch license type by modifying a registry key. With other applications (notably Revit), you’d have to uninstall and reinstall the application.

There are now two options for changing your license type. These are outlined in an Autodesk KB article: How to Change or Reset Your Licensing on your 2017 Software

One option is to delete the LGS.data file in the following locations:

Windows: C:ProgramDataAutodeskCLM<product key>_<<product version>>

OR C:ProgramDataAutodeskCLMLGS<product key>_<<product version>>

OS X: LibraryApplicationSupportAutodeskCLMLGS<product key>_<<product version>>

This is useful when you cannot access the application itself, such as when a Trial installation has expired, or when you’ve erroneously installed the wrong version.

This should also reset the activation for term licenses. If you are having issues with a term license installation, it may be possible to delete the LGS.data file and force a reactivation. (Please note that at the time of publication, we have not verified this; we will update the blog post after testing.)

So far, our tests indicate that a normal uninstallation will remove the LGS.data file, but we have not verified that this is always the case.

The second option is available if you can successfully open the application, including Trial installations.

Open the application, and navigate to the “About” menu item in Help.

In the “About” window, click on Manage License.

You will now see the License Manager page. Click on Change license type.

On the next screen, click Change.

The application will close; you may be prompted to save your work. When you open the application again, you are offered the Get Started window again.

If you have questions about these procedures, please email us at support@microsolresources.com or by phone at 888-768-7568.