Newbie customer: De-/Activation Do's & Dont's

or: How to avoid activation issues for Lazy Dummies

from Stardock Forums

Hello Stardock, here are several questions I haven't found answers for (yet), asked here as you don't provide an email address to ask "privately" and I don't want to brave the "Support ticket" thicket just yet.

fs versus sd versions:
order confirmation emails all have download links pointing to "<product name>-fs-setup_sd.exe", whereas all trial versions I downloaded are named "<product name>-setup_sd.exe", and can be activated as well.
What's the difference, and which should I install preferentially?

Since all apps must be deactivated before they can be activated again, what happens if the OS partition gets overwritten? Can I backup "License.sig" files somewhere safe and deactivate after the fact?

Does your activation setup (online/offline) recognize the same machine under a different OS? And how about a major update, like Win 7/8 upgrade to Win 10, or Win 10 "feature" updates ?

Related: since a regular single user license is tied to "(1) copy of the Software on one (1) unique personal computer that is owned" by me, am I technically allowed to use the program (perhaps installed to a shared drive) under multiple OSes on the same computer? :cylon: I guess not, but surprise me ;)

Regards, a newbie
(who has mostly managed to steered clear of (useful) software that requires "activation", thus far - just don't mention Steam)

 

1,198 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your questions/problems to the Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate you feedback and patience.

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

What's the difference, and which should I install preferentially?
End of quote

Nothing of note or that is germane to how the app behaves or installs.

Since all apps must be deactivated before they can be activated again, what happens if the OS partition gets overwritten? Can I backup "License.sig" files somewhere safe and deactivate after the fact?
End of quote

If ever an uninstall is not done (deactivation happens then as well), or if a manual deactivation is not done in-app (about tabs usually), one can use their account portal to deactivate:

https://forums.stardock.com/486311/accounts-and-activation-support-faq#deactivateproduct

No, one cannot back up a license.sig, and use it if the PC one wishes to reactivate (us it) if the PC has changed in substantial ways (hardware and / or software - including Windows reinstall)

Does your activation setup (online/offline) recognize the same machine under a different OS? And how about a major update, like Win 7/8 upgrade to Win 10, or Win 10 "feature" updates ?
End of quote

It's actually not the 'same machine' if the OS is different so no - one would need to activate under it as well.  Windows updates would not require a reactivation. 

am I technically allowed to use the program (perhaps installed to a shared drive) under multiple OSes on the same computer? 
End of quote

Yes, but to keep the 1 to 1 activation, you would need to deactivate on one to be able to activate on the other.  Both of these actions can be scritped and can be automated on log off / on:

Command line Activation:

https://forums.stardock.com/486311/accounts-and-activation-support-faq#activatecommandprompt

Deactivation:

https://forums.stardock.com/486311/accounts-and-activation-support-faq#deactivatecommandprompt

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

 

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