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Scenario

After a Major Windows update you are being asked to reactivate the program, although you have already activated it on the same computer.

Reason

Previously, our software used Windows’ Product ID to bind the license with a machine.

This ID used to be a constant value and was intended for license simplification. Unfortunately, the Product ID changes its value every time Windows 10 is undergoing a Major update (1511, 1607 “Anniversary Update”, 1703 “Creators Update”, 1709 “Fall Creators Update”, 1803 “April 2018 Update”, 1809 “October 2018 Update”).

Solution

In the latest build of Paragon Hard Disk Manager 16 (16.23.0) we implemented different licensing schema to solve activation issues caused by Windows Updates. The installation file can be downloaded from your MyParagon Account.

Now the MAC (media access control) address of a NIC (network interface controller) is used during the activation process. This MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to a NIC in form of 00-AA-FF-22-A1-F2. The individual characters are within the range A-F and 0-9.

When a software update is been rolled out, the activation method will not be changed automatically. It is necessary to reconfigure it manually. Please proceed as follows:

Close Paragon Hard Disk Manager 16;
Log into your MyParagon Account in the browser and release the licenses that have been activated for this Windows product ID: “How To Release An Activated License To Use The Serial Number On Another Machine” (see Pict. 1 and Pict. 2). You can re-activate it 4 times. Of course, we will help you to release the counter of licenses due to the problems with Windows Product ID. Please contact our Support or file a support ticket;
Open Windows Explorer (Win key + E);
Go to the directory C:\ProgramData\Paragon\Hard Disk Manager 16 Basic;
Rename or delete licence.lic file (make sure extension is changed too);
Open your Paragon software. An activation window will appear. Click on “Activate” (see Pict. 3).
On the left side (“Sign in to MyParagon portal”), enter your account information and click on “Sign in” (see Pict. 4);
Click on “Activate on this computer” (see Pict. 5);
The activation is now using the MAC address.
A large message will appear “Online activation successfully completed!” (see Pict. 6);
Now the software is activated with the MAC address (see Pict. 7).

Note: The %ProgramData% directory is a hidden directory. Make the directory C:\ProgramData\ visible. Activate “Show hidden items” in the folder properties of the Windows Explorer. Undo this change after completing the operation.