This is general information for installing licenses and extension keys. If you need more detailed information please contact [email protected]


License types

  • Perpetual license

You can run a product build number up to the build number attached to the serial number. Installing a build version greater than the “valid through” build number requires an extension key or a new serial number.


  • Term-limited license

You can run any build through the date attached to the serial number. Installing after the “valid through” date requires either the entry of an extension key or a new serial number.


To enter your license key

  1. Obtain your serial number, verification data, and/or extension key from your product order.
  2. Download your purchased product from http://www.activepdf.com/myaccount/downloads.
  3. Run the product .exe installer.
  4. Enter your serial number when prompted.
  5. Activate your license using one of the following methods.
    Note: Some license types do not require Activation but do require ‘Verification Data’ entry.
    • Via the Internet–Activates using your Internet connection.
    • Manual method–Includes the following activation methods:
      • Web-based activation–Activate using a URL.
      • Email activation–Email to obtain an activation code
      • Support Ticket–Open a Support request to obtain an activation code
  1. Follow the screen prompts.


Product-specific installation instructions

You can find the installation instructions in the online Quick Start Guide for your ActivePDF product.
Links to all product manuals can be found at: https://www.activepdf.com/support/documentlinks.


To add extension keys

An extension key is used to increase the build date of a perpetual license or the time period of a term-limited license.

  1. Select Start > All Programs > ActivePDF License Manager > ActivePDF License Manager.
  2. Click Add, and then select Extension Key.
  3. Enter the Extension Key from your product order.


To convert an evaluation license to a production license

The best practice is to remove the evaluation key prior to installing the product key.

  1. Select Start > All Programs > ActivePDF License Manager > ActivePDF License Manager.
  2. Select the evaluation key.
  3. Select “Remove”.
  4. Select Add… serial number.
  5. Enter your serial number.


Building a Licensed Installer

Some license types allow you to build a custom installer that has the license information embedded within the installer.


To build a Licensed Installer

  1. Sign In and download the product installer to the desktop (must be run from the desktop).
  2. Run the installer and enter the serial number, then exit the installer.
  3. Open the License Manager from the desktop icon and select the license you just entered.

Note: If your license supports this option, a Build button appears.

  1. Click the Build

A new dialogue box appears.

  1. Click on the Browsebutton for the first box and browse to the installer on your desktop.
  2. In the second box enter the filename (exe).
  3. Check the boxes for either of the additional options (optional).
  4. Click the Buildbutton to build the new installer.


A new installer is created on your desktop.


To change the default product installation path (optional)

If you would like to customize the installation path, you can create and configure an .ini file.

  1. In a text editor, create an .ini file.
  2. Name the .ini file. If you are creating an installer for:
    • Toolkit, use: ini
    • Rasterizer, use: ini
    • DocConverter, Server or WebGrabber, use: ini
  3. In the empty .ini file, enter these three lines of text:
    [SetupValues]
    AppFolder=C:\Program Files\YourCustomLocation
    P3=C:\P3// Note: include this line for DocConverter and WebGrabber installers only
  4. Change the value of AppFolderto the desired location.
  5. Place a copy of the .ini file with the installer in the folder of the target machine
    For example: C:\Windows\Temp folder.
  6. Run the custom installer.


You may now distribute the NewInstaller.exe per your license agreement.