Autodesk software is reaching the end of activation

[onehousecall]

I own a copy of AutoCAD LT 2013. 
I received an email this morning that, as of July 1, 2022, Autodesk will no longer support license activations for that product. 
This is absolutely asinine. I DON'T need a newer version of CAD - this perfectly meets all I need for CAD work. I've been able to do 100% of the drawing work I need to via that software.
I've upgraded computers from laptop to laptop to desktop to desktop over the years, and heretofore I was always able to put that copy of CAD onto my new computer without difficulty. 

The idea that Autodesk thinks they can just pad their bottom line by forcing me to the stupid subscription model (instead of the standalone I possess that doesn't require any additional funds) has absolutely infuriated me. It wouldn't cost them a dime to maintain the activation capabilities for that software indefinitely, and their choice not to do so is just maddening. 

Does anyone know how I can obtain some sort of code that, moving forward, would allow me to continue to activate that license on future computer builds? I don't know how to contact the Autodesk folks directly, so I'm hoping someone on here can point me in the right direction. 

I have absolutely no need to access tech support, I don't need software updates, I don't care about security difficulties. I just want the product to work into the future.

Thanks. 

[pendean]

There is no legal legit method to circumvent Autodesk license activation in the future unless something at Autodesk changes in the future. Sorry, no one can predict the future today.

[Patchy]

It sounds like a robbery to me too.

When I bought a car and it's paid for it should be mine and I have every rights to fix and drive it.

[pendean]

[onehousecall]

Agreed - if I buy a "stand alone" copy, then it should.....stand.....alone.....

[pendean · Accepted solution]

@onehousecall you never owned AutoCAD, aka "the car", read this https://www.allbusiness.com/the-difference-between-buying-and-licensing-software-928-1.html
and https://www.webopedia.com/insights/owningsoftware/
and... well, there is so much out there to explain how software works in plain language, help yourself https://www.google.com/search?q=do+you+own+a+software+license

Now you know more than you did a few minutes ago.
Start working on a game plan.

[onehousecall]

Thanks.

[RobDraw]

Your assumption that it wouldn't cost Autodesk any money to continue generating authorizations for unsupported software is off base. The have maintenance costs. There are other factors too but unless you are privy to their budget information, you wouldn't know what they were. Think of it as their subscription costs. Nothing is free. In fact, if you are not paying them while you use the software, eventually they will lose money unless you can find a way to air gap your computer so that you don't get any updates that force you to reauthorize your license. Then there's the required 30 day check-in that needs to work or gotten around. 

People have had some success by maintaining a computer with the supported OS. If you have that, you may be in compliance with the EULA where all this is spelled out in legalese. 

[edenrenders]

So I paid 5000 euros for a license but it was limited in time???
If I could use the activation code that I received with the product they wouldn't need to spend time and money to create activation codes. 

What kind of bs is this!

[RobDraw]

It's the BS that you agreed to in the EULA. 

[pendean]

@edenrenders Read all about software licensing here, it's never been a secret, just users making assumptions https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/previous-version-support/autodesk-software-is-reaching-the-end-of-act...

[jgbs]

So institute a small charge to pay for the costs of maintaining an activation process. I'd happily pay $10 or $20 or even $50 to allow me to reactivate so I could continue to use my purchased copy of LT 2011. I can not justify $500/year for a subscription for a product I only use occasionally.

[RobDraw]

Why are you telling me about your fantasy?

[pendean]

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@jgbs wrote:

...I can not justify $500/year for a subscription for a product I only use occasionally....

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Then find a software that meets your needs my friend, we all have to live within our means all the time: start here https://all3dp.com/2/best-autocad-alternatives/ and https://www.google.com/search?q=autocad+replacement 

[evan.vrysoulis]

Go buy CMS intelliCAD for a fraction of the cost. The new version is as good as AutoCAD and uses the exact same commands.

I have the same issue. I have not even changed my laptop. I just installed windows 10 and had to install AutoCAD again. 

Appalled. 

[evan.vrysoulis]

Pendean who on earth gives you the right do be cynical.

Find an article from 2013 that describes the same when I bought my license.

If you cannot I would advise you to keep your mouth shut

[pendean]

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@evan.vrysoulis wrote:

Pendean who on earth gives you the right do be cynical.

Find an article from 2013 that describes the same when I bought my license.

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Sadly, how you read my factual posts is truly on you, if the recommendations to find alternates is too scary... Here is how to contact Autodesk for possible (not guaranteed) re-authorizing if available to you today under the perpetual licensing scheme you may have with your 2014 and older software
https://www.autodesk.com/support/contact-support?startHelpBranch=post-purchase/download-software 

[sdemirjian]

I had issues with my SSD.  I installed a new SSD and restored from Acronis backup.  Autocad LT 2013 required activation on this computer which they no longer support.  I still have LT 2013 on my laptop which I guess will continue working until the laptop dies.  I also have Inventor HSM going back to 2016 all perpetual license.  The only copy that works is 2022.  All older versions require activation which is no longer possible. 

When we purchased this software on perpetual license it was good for life.  The fact that it will cost Autodesk money to continue activation of their products is not our problem.  A deal is a deal the way I run my business. 

In any event, there isn't much we can do about this. There is no way I'm paying subscription for anything.  I don't rent my house, my cars or anything else I have. 

I downloaded ProgeCAD 2024 trial yesterday.  $399 for a perpetual license.  This could change in the future too but for now it works for me so I purchased it today.  I prefer the classic interface which this has.  Pretty easy to make the switch over as the commands are the same with a better interface.  My main concern was whether the ProgeCAD dfx files could be imported into my CNC machine which generates tool paths from the drawing.  No issues. 

[richardW43HR]

We recently purchased 4 seats of CMS IntelliCAD to replace our multiple copies of ACAD LT 2013 and one seat that was on the yearly subscription.  I had a problem and had to reinstall the OS... that was how I found that I could no longer activate.  As I had it activated on my laptop and my desktop, and do not use it on my laptop, I thought I would just do the license transfer of that one to my desktop.... nope, they also blocked us from being able to transfer the licenses and it was an activated license.  I have used ACAD since the DOS days, started with Release 2.52 and used to teach it at a local community college as well as have had at least 4 previous companies purchase multiple copies of standard ACAD it for our CAD software - but I am now done with them.  As far as I am concerned, I will never recommend them to anyone again.  So far, have seen no issues with the alternate, and the perpetual license from them with multiple seats is only around $300 each, for full program including 3D.  So long ACAD!

[MSULKA]

amen.  Autodesk never said they would lock us out of perpetual licenses.  Class Action!