Key Has Been Revoked — Beyond Compare 4 License

Even a genuine license key has limits. Beyond Compare’s per‑user license allows installation on multiple computers for the same person, but the key isn’t meant to be shared across an entire team. If Scooter Software detects an unusually high number of activations from different IP addresses or devices, they may revoke it to prevent abuse.

Typos happen. Navigate to . Carefully re-enter your name and license key exactly as they appear on your purchase receipt. Ensure there are no extra spaces at the beginning or end.

: If the software keeps "remembering" the revoked key, you may need to manually remove it: BC4Key.txt %appdata%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\ or the program folder. : Remove the configuration directory located at ~/.config/bcompare/ Contact Support

The "Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked" error is frustrating, but it's not permanent. With the solutions outlined in this guide, you can restore functionality in minutes—whether by editing a few XML files, running a cleanup script, or blocking network access entirely. beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked

If you’re a paying customer and receive this error, . Instead:

Type regedit in the Windows search bar and open the .

: Users sometimes unintentionally deploy a leaked key found online instead of their actual purchased key. Even a genuine license key has limits

After deletion, restart Beyond Compare. The software will regenerate fresh configuration files. You'll need to re-enter your license key.

The "Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked" error is a frustrating but solvable problem. By resetting the local configuration files, you can quickly restore the software to a working state. While workarounds exist, the best long-term solution is to purchase an official license, supporting the developers who create this valuable tool and eliminating these interruptions for good. Choose the method that best fits your situation, and get back to comparing files with confidence.

Navigate to /home/yourusername/.config/bcompare and delete all files in this directory. Typos happen

: While Beyond Compare 4 keys work for all v4.x updates, they will not work for Beyond Compare 5. However, this usually triggers a "not a valid version" error rather than a revocation. How to Fix the Revocation Error 1. Locate and Delete the Revoked Key File

: If a legitimate user's key is posted on a public forum, GitHub Gist, or "crack" site, the developer flags it. Once flagged, subsequent updates of Beyond Compare (e.g., moving from version 4.1 to 4.3) will recognize the key as invalid during the phone-home or validation process. Pirated Key Deployment

If you work for a company or purchased the software yourself, your key might have been reset or replaced due to a leak. Visit the official Scooter Software website.