Install Classic License On New Workstation

SketchUp Pro
1

Greetings!

We’ve been long-time users of SketchUp, and we’re on a couple of 2020 Classic licenses. We’re ready to replace one of our workstations, and we’re trying to transfer that 2020 Classic license to the new workstation.

We have:

  • Original purchase email
  • Original account
  • License Serial Number
  • License Authorization Code
  • Copy of the 2020 SketchUp Pro installation file

To note, we have been able to remove and re-add the number before just fine for years.

Now, when adding the information to the new workstation, we receive an error that the combination is incorrect. We have tried copy-paste, as well as full manual entry, multiple times each. Note, that is error is different than when adding a license on too many machines (we did verify this by entering in the other license information).

We also took care to verify matching licenses for the older workstation before removing that license to make room for the new workstation.

We also confirmed the information using the handy License Manager tool.

It notes two things:

  • Serial Number for 2021
  • Serial Number for 2020, crossed out with the words “[On Hold]” next to it

When the authoization email comes through (for both options), it reports for only SketchUp 2021. We know this, because the Serial starts with WA (for 2021) instead of VA (for 2020).

To clarify, we have never activated a WA license because we have never installed SketchUp Pro 2021. We understand that the license is available for upgrade, but we have never used a licensed on an upgraded software.

To reiterate, we have the install file for SketchUp Pro 2020. The authorization code from our original emails is for the 2020 serial number but does not work. Furthermore, the serial and authorization code for 2021 says it is for the incorrect year (because 2021 serials require the 2021 program).

The serials in question contain 964 (and eventually also 397).

As this was previously successful, is there anything now that can be done to use our 2020 credentials on SketchUp Pro 2020, just on the new workstation? Any assistance from the SketchUp Team or anyone else is greatly appreciated.

2

The 397 license has been activated on three computers for 2020. Trying it on a fourth computer, for 2020, would fail.

The 964 license is activated on two computers for 2020, and one computer for 2021. It ought to be able to activate on another computer, but it will only do that for the 2021 version. If it helps, it was activated by a using name start with ‘ms’, in June 2023. Trying to activate 2020 won’t work, because the license is already upgraded to 2021.

It’s normal for the license manager to give you the details of the latest license you are able to use. It doesn’t return the latest license you have used, if the one you have used is not the latest you’re allowed to use.

Is there a reason you can’t use 2021 for the 397 license? That license would be able to activate on a new computer, if you’re activating 2021.

3

Colin,

Thank you for the information, which we greatly appreciate. We were able to locate the affected workstation with the activated 2021 license containing 964. For reference, please reply with the current number of workstations currently activated with the 964 license (regardless of SketchUp version).

Also, if we understand correctly, can 3 workstations in total have a single classic license? You mentioned that 3 stations currently use the license containing 397 just fine.

Any further assistance is greatly appreciated.

4

When you paid for a Classic license that entitled you to use the license on two machines. But, you can get away with it being activated on a third computer. When you do that you get a warning email to say that you have exceeded the number of allowed activations.

5

Ah! Thank you for that, as it’ll help us to plan our future operations.

Currently, is that 964 license is activated on 2 workstations that we’re aware of. Can you see if that license is actually currently active on 3 workstations? If so, we’ll need to track it down internally.

As always, any assistance is appreciated.

6

The 964 license for 2021 is activated on two machines. One from June 2023 and one from two days ago.

The MAC addresses for the two machines include e86a646473dd and 002324ae6738.

The 397 license is activated on three machines, for SketchUp 2020. If you were to start using the 2021 license you would get a fresh start, and would be able to activate two new machines, without the 3 activations for 2020 preventing that. Once you do activate the 2021 license, you won’t be able to add the 2020 license to a new machine, even if you deactivate it from the current machines.

So, make sure any machine that needs 2020 has the license, before you activate 2021 for the first time.