License Key is disabled

QUESTION

I've recently upgraded and now, when prompted to activate, I am getting the error that the license key is disabled. What's going on and how do I activate the software?

ANSWER

There are several instances when you may get an error message "License key is disabled".

Perpetual licenses

Case 1

You are trying to activate a newer version of Capture One with an older perpetual license key. For example, activating Capture One 12 with Capture One 11 license key.

If you have a perpetual license, the product key activates the corresponding Capture One version and earlier versions as well. For instance, the license key for Capture One 10 can activate Capture One 10, 9, and older versions.

Case 2

You have recently upgraded to the latest major release and cannot use the old key to activate the older versions of the software. For instance, if you upgraded from Capture One 11 to Capture One 12, you will not be able to use your Capture One 11 license key any longer. 

When a license is upgraded (i.e., from Capture One 11 to Capture One 12), the previous license key (in this case, Capture One 11 product key) is disabled. Use your new license key (in this case, for Capture One 12) to activate your current version.

You can find the new license key in your order history in the Capture One account.

How to find Capture One License Key?

Subscriptions

Case 3

You have purchased a subscription after November 29, 2018, however, you want to activate Capture One 11.3.1 or older versions.

Backward compatibility of Capture One licenses depends on whether it was issued by Fastspring. Fastspring licensing was first introduced in Capture 11.3.2. If you can find your license in the Fastspring order history, your license is a Fastspring license.