License Update for FARO Software
Introducing the FARO Licensing Manager
Manage all your FARO software licenses from one convenient application. Activate or update licenses for any FARO software and view/verify active maintenance plans. Click here to learn more >>
Overview
The following article is intended for users upgrading to a newer version of software. If you require another scenario listed below, please see the corresponding article.
- If you are installing the software for the first time, please refer to: License Activation for FARO Software
- If you are updating a license on a network license server, please refer to: Network License Server and Client Configuration
When a new version of FARO software is released, the status of your software maintenance plan or subscription determines if you can run the latest software. If you try to run the new version and get reoccurring license messages or a message that says your plan has expired, then you will have to renew your plan before you can successfully run the software. When you have an an up-to-date software maintenance plan or subscription, you are able to access and run new major releases with the least impact on your daily workflow. If your maintenance plan has expired, you can still use your current version of software, but you will not be able to use a newer version until you renew the plan. Click here for information about how to renew your maintenance plan.
License updates are only required for major version releases, minor releases do not require a license update. A major release is denoted by a change in the year, e.g. 2020.x to 2021.x. Minor patch/maintenance releases are denoted by a change in the first decimal place, e.g. 2021.1 to 2021.2.
Before attempting to update your license:
- It can be a time-saver to check your software maintenance plan or subscription status before you try to install the new software version. See Software Maintenance Plan Expiration Date for instructions.
- Ensure you have stable internet connection.
- If you do not have access to the internet on the computer you are installing the software, skip to the Offline License Update section.
- Turn off all anti-virus and firewall software, as it can affect the update process. Be sure to turn it back on again at the end of this process. If you do not know how to do this, contact your IT department.
- Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer.
- If you are using a USB Portlock/Dongle, attach it to your computer before you start this procedure
FARO offers multiple ways to verify the status of your software maintenance plan.
Software License Manager
- Launch your FARO software and open the License Manager.
- The location of the License Manger varies by software but can typically be found under the "File" or "Settings" menu.
- The remaining time of your maintenance plan is listed under the "Days Left" column.
FARONow Customer Portal
- In your browser, navigate to FARONow, https://faronow.faro.com.
- Navigate to MY RECORDS>ASSETS.
- By default FARONow filters the list to Recently Viewed assets. To see all assets, click the dropdown arrow and select My Org's Assets.
- Locate the asset for the software you want to upgrade and click on the Asset Name.
- On the next page, scroll down to the bottom and locate the Warranty & Certification Information section. Look for Warranty Expires (Date).
FARO Software Licensing Portal
- Retrieve the HASP Key ID for the current license. The HASP Key ID is listed within the License Manger in the Key ID column.
- Access the FARO Software Licensing Portal at: https://license.faro.com/Portal/diagnosis
- Enter your HASP Key ID and click Get Information.
- The page displayed will include your warranty (software maintenance plan) expiration.
Version Eligibility and Download
An up-to-date FARO software maintenance plan gives you immediate and easy access to the latest software releases, including major upgrades containing new conveniences and efficiency features as well as bug fixes. If your software maintenance plan has expired, you are still entitled to use the latest version of software that was available during that software maintenance plan time period. Once you have your expiration date on hand, visit our Knowledge Base article (Software List and Version Eligibility) to view the latest version of software you're eligible for.
- Go to https://knowledge.faro.com/Essentials/Software/FARO_Software_List_and_Version_Eligibility
- Select your software
- Enter your software maintenance plan expiration date
- View the list of software you're eligible for
- Download and install your software
Automatic License Update
- Download and install the new version of software.
- Launch the software.
- The license update process is typically automatic if your software maintenance plan or subscription is active.
If the automatic update fails, you can attempt a Manual License Update.
Manual License Update
Depending on the software and its version, either the License Manager or License Wizard will be displayed. Proceed to the appropriate section.
 License Manager |
 License Wizard |
Manual License Update – License Manager
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Click the Update product line licenses link. Once clicked, the software will attempt to automatically update the license(s) for that product.
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Clicking Update licenses only attempts to update a selected license in the window above. This link will be grayed out if a license has not been selected.
Note: Older versions of software my not contain the “Update product line licenses” option, therefore use the Update licenses instead.
The update process requires a stable internet connection and successful communication to the FARO License server. If you are not connected to the internet or the activation fails, there are a few cases in which this might occur:
You are not connected to the internet
Please see section titled “Offline License Update - License Manager” for instructions.
Your software maintenance plan has expired, and you are no longer eligible for software updates
Please see section “Software Maintenance Plan Expiration Date” for instructions.
Manual License Update – License Wizard
- Click the Advanced Options button and then the Update Licenses button.
- Click the Update button.
- The License Wizard will now attempt to update your license.
The update process requires a stable internet connection and successful communication to the FARO License server. If you are not connected to the internet or the activation fails, there are a few cases in which this might occur:
You are not connected to the internet
Please see section titled “Offline License Update - RUS Tool” for instructions.
Your software maintenance plan has expired, and you are no longer eligible for software updates
Please see section titled “Software Maintenance Plan Expiration Date” for instructions.
Offline License Update
If you need to update your license on a computer that does not have an internet connection, you can do so using another computer that does have internet access. This process requires a creation of a C2V file from the offline computer and then using FARO Licensing Portal website to create a V2C license file. This V2C file can then be transferred to offline computer (via a USB thumb drive or similar media).
Offline License Update - License Manager
- Start the software to update.
- The License Manager will appear. click the Collect information for license update link. (Note: Some software may only have a Collect license information link. If so, click that option instead).
- In the next window, browse to the location where you want to save the C2V file. Name the file with the software name you are updating so you can easily identify it, (e.g. "SoftwareName.c2v") and then click Save.
- Copy this file to a USB thumb drive or similar media that will allow you to transfer it to the online computer.
- Eject the USB thumb drive from the computer.
On the online computer:
- Insert the USB thumb drive or similar media that contains the C2V file created in the previous section.
- Go the FARO Licensing Portal website at: https://license.faro.com/Portal/update
- Click Browse and navigate to the location of the C2V file, select it and click Open.
- Click Update.
- The next screen will verify the update was successful, click the Download zip file button to download the updated license file. It will be in the format of "update_########_######.zip". Once the download is complete unzip the file.
- Copy the .V2C (from the .zip download) file to a USB thumb drive or similar media that will allow you to transfer it back to the offline computer where the software is installed.
On the offline computer:
- Insert the USB thumb drive or similar media that contains the V2C file downloaded in the previous section.
- Return to the License Manager screen and click the Update from file link. Browse to the location where you saved the V2C file, select it and click Open.
- The updated product/license key information will now be applied, and you may begin using your FARO software.
Offline License Update - RUS Tool
- Close any open FARO software or license manger windows.
- Open the FARO Remote Update System (RUS) tool. This tools is typically installed along with most FARO software, however if it is not listed on your computer you may download it from here: Download and Install the SafeNet Sentinel HASP License Driver and FARO Remote Update System (RUS)
- On the Collect Status Information tab, make sure the "Update of existing protection key" radio button is selected and then click the Collect Information button.
- This will generate a C2V file. When prompted, save this file to your computer.
- Copy this file to a USB thumb drive or similar media that will allow you to transfer it to the online computer.
- Eject the USB thumb drive from the computer.
On the online computer:
- Insert the USB thumb drive or similar media that contains the C2V file created in the previous section.
- Go the FARO Licensing Portal website at: https://license.faro.com/Portal/update
- Click Browse and navigate to the location of the C2V file, select it and click Open.
- Click Update.
- The next screen will verify the update was successful, click the Download zip file button to download the updated license file. It will be in the format of "update_########_######.zip". Once the download is complete unzip the file.
- Copy the .V2C (from the .zip download) file to a USB thumb drive or similar media that will allow you to transfer it back to the offline computer where the software is installed.
On the offline computer:
- Insert the USB thumb drive or similar media that contains the .V2C file downloaded in the previous section.
- Return to the RUS screen and click the
button to navigate to the location where you saved the .V2C file. Select the .V2C file, and click Open. - Click the Apply Update button.
- The RUS will respond with a success message when the process is complete.
