Activate hobby license without downloading new version

[nbastis]

I am eligible for a free subscription as a hobby user, but the new Fusion360 is not installable with my operating system. My current Fusion360 says my subscription is expired (Educational, read only). So, I have deleted my former education license, and now I want to activate the free hobby use with the software version I currently have (already installed and working with my operating system). I cannot activate it by downloading a new application because it is not compatible with my operating system. 

How can I activate the hobby license without installing a new (incompatible) software version?

Thank you

[Phil.E]

Have you tried logging into the copy of Fusion currently installed with your new hobby ID?

Sometimes the activation requires you to do a mock-download of the installer. It doesn't actually force you to run the installer. Avoid running the installer after downloading it. After that, restart Fusion and log in with your hobby license.

[nbastis]

Hi Phil,

I am not being prompted to set up a new hobby ID, just to download. How/where can I set up this new hobby ID with which to try logging in?

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

My apologies, I read your message to read you had gotten a new hobby license.

now I want to activate the free hobby use

Activation comes after you create a license.

After your response, I think you should log in to Fusion using your expired student license, and convert it to a free hobby license. Click on the button near the top of Fusion that says you have expired entitlement, or something like that. I'm not sure what it says for you, but that button will open a web page where you can follow the prompts to get the hobby entitlement for your current account. It's always possible to convert an expired license to another type. This helps you keep your data in the cloud, and attached to your login ID.

[nbastis]

I just logged in to try what you suggested, and somehow, who knows why, the 'personal use license' was activated. Perhaps someone on the 'backend' had my back. Thanks a lot. 

[Phil.E]

Glad to know!