How to reset Autodesk 2020 - 2024 Licensing

[TravisNave]

Problem:  You have Autodesk 2020-2024 software installed, but are now unable to simply change the licensing from Single User to Multi-User, Networked Licensed, or Trial version. 

Reason:  Autodesk has changed how the Autodesk 2020-2024 products are licensed and apparently there is no simple way to do this from Help > About to Manage Licenses, or by deleting LGS file information as in previous versions.  Later releases have this functionality but it is inconsistent.  If you cannot perform this action in your 2024 software, then this solution is for you.

Solution:  With the introduction of the Autodesk 2020 software release, changing the licensing now requires commands to be entered via an elevated command prompt.  This is the same for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024

Detailed instructions for how to find and use the AdskLicensingInstHelper.exe and all of its commands and options can be found at this link, however they are not accurate for 2024 products:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Use-Installer-Help...

Note:  For the best method, skip down to Method #3

Method #1 (Manually):  Essentially, you would need to run a command similar to this for AutoCAD 2024:

AdskLicensingInstHelper change --prod_key 001P1 --prod_ver 2024.0.0.F --lic_method ""

This method, however, is quite obtuse and requires you to also know the Product Key and the Product Version for your installed product.  You can find this using the LIST argument and plugging your values into the command. 

AdskLicensingInstHelper list

For 2024 products, you also must manually rename the database file listed here:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\Identity Services\idservices.db

Because the normal everyday user is unlikely to be able to follow and comprehend these instructions clearly, I have decided to update my batch file to perform these actions without requiring the knowledge necessary in the Autodesk KB article.   Also since the 2021 release and named user login, the manual method requires additional steps to force the logout and the release of the assigned license before the Autodesk application can reset the licensing dialogue.
Note:  For 2021-24 products, you need to logout of your Autodesk/SSO username within the software to manually reset named user licensing.  

Method #2:  Autodesk Licensing Support Tool.  Autodesk has released a License Support Tool to help assist with resetting licensing.  I have not tested this with 2024.  You can get more information and download the tool here.

Method #3 (Preferred):  Download and run the command script attached at the bottom of this article with elevated privileges.  NOTE:  It is recommended to use this updated 2024 script in place of my previous releases as there have been additional changes to the licensing subsystem.

1.  When you launch the script (you may have to allow it in Windows 10/11 or if you have UAC or Smartscreen enabled) you will see the following screen:

Autodesk License Reset Tool

Note:  You will need to right-click and run as Administrator.  Otherwise, it will warn you that you are not running as administrator and need to close the program.

2.  To determine which products you have installed and need to reset, choose option 1 to list the products installed. 

Choose Option 1 to List Products

In this example, the program lists AutoCAD 2024 with Product Key 001P1 and Product Version 2024.0.0.F.  The output of this command is a little convoluted.  It is especially busy when you have multiple products installed.  You will want to look for the value of "def_prod_key" and "def_prod_ver" (highlighted) when you run this option.  To make this easier in this release, the data will also populate and open in a rich-text format document that will open in your default .RTF program, such as Microsoft Word or Wordpad.    

You can now type B to go back to the previous menu. 

3.   To reset the licensing for your listed product, choose option 2.

Choose Option 2 to reset license to factory default

By default, the values are set for AutoCAD 2024 with the Product Key of 001P1 and the Product Version of 2024.0.0.F. 

To accept these default values, all you need to do is press <Enter> to continue.  If the values of your product are different, then enter those values instead.  For example, if you have AutoCAD LT 2021 installed, you will use Product Key 057M1.  It will verify your entry and prompt you to confirm that you wish to reset your license back to factory default.   Note:  This license tool is backwards compatible for Autodesk 2020 products.  

I suspect product versions will change as different updates and service packs are released -- as they were with the 2020-2023 releases.

4.  To reset your license choose to answer Y to the prompt:  WARNING THIS WILL RESET YOUR LICENSE? [Y or N] _

Successful Result has no output between brackets []

If successful, you should receive no output between the brackets [ ].  This is because the Autodesk license helper displays no output for a successful command.  The main difference between this updated version and the older 2020 reset tool is that this version will automatically backup and reset the Named User Autodesk/SSO login of the product for assigned licenses as well.  It will also automatically logout the SSO user for the 2024 release, which is new.  

If you made a typo or the product does not exist on your machine, then an error message will be displayed instead. 

Error when product not found

Also, if you are using the Autodesk Network License Manager for Network Licensed products as an Enterprise, Government, or Educational institutaion, then resetting the licensing will also open the folder location for the LICPATH.LIC file, which contains the location of your license manager.  This will allow you to easily modify the file or remove it altogether if unneeded. 

5.  You can then choose whether or not to reset another licensed product or to quit the program.  When you quit the program, it is set to log an application event to your Windows logs.  This can help you keep track of when the program has been run.  Choosing Y will take you back to the main menu, while choosing Q will exit the program.

Bonus options:

There are a few extra options included in this batch script that are helpful with Autodesk licensing.  These are optional settings to help make changes that are also otherwise difficult to do or understand. 

 Set ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE -  This will allow you to change the System Environment Variable (and subsequently the registry value) of the Autodesk Network License Manager server location on the current client.  Acceptable values are often 27000@SERVERNAME or simply @SERVERNAME.  More information on this variable or instructions on how to set this manually can be found here.

Set FLEXLM_TIMEOUT - This will allow you to change the System Environment Variable for the amount of time that Autodesk software waits to check out a network license.  This is helpful when there is network latency or you are using a VPN or WAN to connect to your NLM.  A good start is usually a value of one-million.  (1000000 = 1 second.)  More information on this variable or instructions on how to set this manually can be found here.

Open adskflex*.data file location - This will allow you to open the file location where the adskflex*.data file exist that keeps track of single user stand-alone licensed products.  For more information about manually removing license files, please see this KB Article. 

Start the Licensing Service - This will conveniently start the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service if it has been stopped for some reason or another without having to go into services to start it manually.

Download and unzip the script attached below.  Run as Administrator.  If Windows Smart Screen complains that the file is dangerous, you will need to click more information and run anyway.  I can assure you that I have not included any malicious code.  No files will be deleted.  All files are backed-up and renamed during this process and can be easily reversed.  

This file is safe.

If you have any issues or want to add features, please feel free to contact me!

Good Luck!

[mdavis22569]

What's your thought on this:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-reset-local... 

[TravisNave · Accepted solution]

Please use this script at your own risk.  I have tested it on Windows 10 and 11  for AutoCAD 2024 and 3DS Max 2023/2024.  

If you have any problems or would like to add more features, please contact me.  I will try to keep updated versions in this thread if possible.   The latest version of this script will always be linked in my signature line.  So if you are reading this, you should look there for any updated links.  

[TravisNave]

---

@mdavis22569 wrote:

What's your thought on this:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-reset-local... 

---

Mike,

Theirs works for 2023, however the 2024 software apparently does not use the LoginState.xml file to keep track of SSO login.  Therefore my scripts from 2023 and prior also did not work for 2024.  I had to add new functionality to reset and force the logout of the user in 2024.  

However, regardless of the product version, my updated script is still backwards compatible all the way to 2020 products.  Theirs is not.  

[TravisNave]

That being said, I do expect Autodesk to likely update their KB articles and any tools and methods that they have listed for resetting 2024.  But at this time, their previous methods listed do not work.  Anyway, they just straight up blow away files recklessly with their script.  My files are all backed-up and renamed with appended date of the change.  It's funny that they came up with a script to automate their process after I did, but made it worse. 

At the time of this thread, my script is currently the only working method for 2024.   

[DarrenP]

i just had to use your script to reset my vault pro 2024 license

i would rather just use your script than Autodesks

[TravisNave]

You're just trying to make me blush.  😁

[Ed.Jobe]

Sounds like a lot of work went into this. Thanks Travis.

[punisher]

@TravisNave Big thanks buddy. This saved my fanny. I am about to do a 2024 Vault Migration and I hit the wall.

@DarrenP Thanks for mentioning you had same problem in another post. That's how I found this.

[TravisNave]

Always glad to help.  

[adbryson]

Thank you Travis!  Exactly what I was looking for, b/c Autodesk sucks at documenting

[casquatch]

Travis (or anyone else that may know), curious what your thoughts might be on this situation. 

We have a VDI environment and with each boot, if a user starts 2022 or above, they get the LGS (lets get started) screen to select their license type. They pick sign in (we are on named user) and then all is well for that session. Their profiles do not reset, so this setting should be kept, but it doesn't stick. If they have done it once for the session, then it'll stick for any other product they might launch (like 2023). It doesn't show up for 2020 or 2021.

As a test, I've run the support tool command to reset all licensing to USER, when I do this, I see that the Revit license method changes to 4. This does properly bypass the LGS screen, but after a restart of the machine, it's back.

Wondering if there is some place this setting is being input / changed and if we could just adjust that information in the registry or via GPO, etc., or if it's only something we can do using tools like yours or the Adsk license helper / support tools?

[adbryson]

@casquatch , we use a batch file that does a lot of different tasks at startup but I believe you will want to take a look at this part of the registry:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\MC3]

Running through a session of accepting that screen and whatever else pops up for first time use should give you the values you need for that registry location to then export and create a .reg file for you to import on startup for your users.
We are also attempting to suppress the user consent dialogs that popup with copying in a set of modified files here:
%APPDATA%\Autodesk\ADPSDK\UserConsent

[TravisNave]

It does sound like the profile settings are not being saved.  Do the users have local admin or power user rights?  Initial setup generally requires elevated privileges.  

[casquatch]

They do not. But they get the LGS page on their initial launch of Revit 2022 / 2023, then once they click the login option (which they can without admin rights) it will keep for that VM session, but will be reset once they restart. 

@adbryson - we attempted the registry edits, but it doesn't seem to want to keep either.

We had a script that will work to adjust these settings, but it is requiring admin rights to run, which we can't do as a login script with GPO. This particular script is using the AdskLicenseingSupportTool, so I'm wondering if using the helper tool will allow a typical user to run it without admin rights. Testing this shortly...

[adbryson]

I can't talk very specifically about admin rights and all that, my IT manager takes care of those things for me.  BUT, I know that he has set all users as admins on our Revit pools, which has resolved some of the permissions issues in the past we were working through.

[karthur1]

Travis,

Have you seen this tool that AD released to help with these issues (Licensing Support Tool)?

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/tsarticles/ts/6IFPpIksTDfsCzp1JwIH5k.html

[TravisNave]

I did.  Did you see how long it took them to finally come up with one after I had one for like 5 releases?  I still have people who say they prefer my version though still.  🤣

[mulugetaabrha723]

please help me to get the license

[Anonymous]

@mulugetaabrha723 Start a new thread with more details don’t hijack this one