How to point multi-user licensed Autodesk products to a new license server

Autodesk Support

May 29, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

How to point client machines to a new license server for multi-user licensed Autodesk products.

Solution:

Ensure that the new Autodesk Network License server is setup correctly before setting up your client computers.

Note: See below articles for Autodesk Network License Manager setup:

 

Point the client computers to the new Autodesk license server.

Versions 2020 and newer

  1. Open Windows Command Prompt or a Terminal window on macOS/Linux depending on your operating system.
  2. Run following Commands:
Windows: 
"%CommonProgramFiles(x86)%\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\Current\helper\AdskLicensingInstHelper.exe" change -pk Product_key -pv Year.0.0.F -lm "" -lt "" -ls ""
macOS: 
sudo /Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AdskLicensing/Current/helper/AdskLicensingInstHelper change -pk ProductKey -pv Year.0.0.F -lm "" -lt "" -ls ""
Linux: 
sudo /opt/Autodesk/AdskLicensing/Current/helper/AdskLicensingInstHelper change -pk ProductKey -pv Year.0.0.F -lm "" -lt "" -ls ""
Note: 
ProductKey and Year change depending on your specific software. See here for a full list.
Further information on how to use the AdskLicensingInstHelper can be found here: Autodesk Licensing Installer Helper tool guide.
  1. Launch the software and select Network License on the Let's Get Started window.
  2. Enter your license server hostname or IP address.

 

Versions 2019 and earlier (Windows)

  1. Press Win+R, type regedit in the Run box hit Enter key.
registry
  1. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\FLEXlm License Manager.
  2. On right panel, find the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE key. 
  3. Double-click the key and modify the Value data field to reflect your new license server hostname.
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE key
  1. Find the file LICPATH.lic in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\ProductKey_20xx.0.0.F and delete it.
Note:
  • ProductKey changes depending on your specific software. See here for a full list.
  • LICPATH.lic location for versions 2016 and earlier is stored in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\"Product" 20XX\.

Versions 2019 and earlier (Mac/Linux)

  1. Use a text editor to create a flexlmrc.txt file and save it in Plain text format (In TextEdit on Mac: Format - Make Plain Text) on the Desktop. The file content should look like below, except with the name or IP address of the license server.
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@YOUR_SERVER_NAME _OR _IP

If the license server is on the same machine as your Autodesk software, you can use localhost as your license server name:

ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@localhost

Note: On firewall restricted network or when accessing your license server via VPN, you may also need to include TCP port/s (usually 27000 or 2080) used by your Autodesk License Server: 

ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=2080@YOUR_SERVER_NAME _OR _IP
  1. Once flexlmrc.txt is created, open a Terminal window.
  2. Type open ~ (Mac) or nautilus ~ (Linux) to open $HOME folder.
  3. Drag and drop your flexlmrc.txt file from Desktop to your home folder.
  4. To make the file a configuration file, rename it to .flexlmrc (please note . [DOT] in front of the file name) by running following command:
mv flexlmrc.txt .flexlmrc (Mac)
mv flexlmrc .flexlmrc (Linux)
 

Warning!

Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article How to back up and restore the registry in Windows and in the related solution How to back up the system registry. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

 

Products:

AutoCAD; All Desktop Products;

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