Activation & License Return Guide
Everything you need to choose a license type, activate GstarBIM 2027 and GstarCAD 2027, and return a license before changing computers or hardware.
Licensing Options
GstarBIM and GstarCAD offer flexible licensing. Both support Stand-alone and Network licenses, available as a license key or a USB dongle.
Stand-alone license
The software is constrained to a certain host. A license is needed for each computer on which the software is installed.
Network license
A pool of licenses sits on the server for use on any computer on the network. You only need licenses for the maximum number of simultaneous users, not for every computer with the software installed.
| Stand-aloneLicense key · Serial number | Stand-aloneUSB key · Dongle | NetworkLicense key · Serial number | NetworkUSB key · Dongle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perpetual license | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental license | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| License borrowing | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Connection to license server | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
License Key Activation
After installing GstarBIM 2027 and GstarCAD 2027, run either one to activate. This guide uses GstarBIM as the example.
- On launch, choose Activate or Trial.
- Trial gives a 30-day trial. During the trial the product performs as fully activated.
- With a valid license key, select Activate to open License Manager, or open it from Expandable menu → Add License (Registration).
License keys use two encryption methods, stand-alone and network. Stand-alone keys support online and manual activation. Network keys support those too, and can also be activated by borrowing a license from the server.
Standalone License Key
You need a valid standalone license key to activate GstarBIM or GstarCAD.
- Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration) and License Manager opens.
- Click License Key (L), then click the Online Activate (O) button.
- Input your License Key (serial number) and click Activate.
- After a few seconds a confirmation appears. Click OK to finish, then restart the software.
Windows Server: “Session does not exist”
If this message appears when activating or returning a standalone license online via License Manager:
- Open Internet Explorer (IE) → Internet Options → Security tab → Trusted sites.
- Add these two sites to the trusted sites:
- https://support.gstarcad.net
- https://support2.gstarcad.net
- Click OK to save. You can then activate or return online normally.
No internet connection? Use an activation file (XML) to activate manually.
- Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration).
- Input your License Key (serial number) and click GENERATE to get the request file. Save it.
- Send the request file to get a license file (see the two options below).
- Back in License Manager, click LOAD, select the license file you downloaded, then click Activate.
- When the confirmation appears, click OK and restart your software.
Option 1 · E-mail
Send the request file, from any computer with internet access, to the local GstarCAD distributor or reseller you purchased from to receive the license file.
Option 2 · Online service
Use the GstarCAD online service center from any internet-connected computer:
- Go to license.gstarcad.net and log in with your license key.
- In the Activation tab, click Activate.
- Click Choose File, select your request file and click Submit.
- Click Download and save the license file (Response XML). Storing it on a USB flash drive is recommended.
Online service center screens
Standalone License Key Return
When changing computers or upgrading your system, return the license before you change the system, hard disk or main board, so you can use the software again afterwards.
- Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration) and License Manager opens.
- Click Online Return (O), select the license to return and click Return.
- After a few seconds the “Return license successful” window opens. Click OK; the returned license disappears from License Information.
No internet connection needed to return a license manually.
- Click Manual Return (M) and select the license to return.
- Click GENERATE to create the request file and save it with the extension -return.
- Click OK once saved, then obtain the return file using either option below.
- Back in License Manager, click LOAD, load the -resp-return.xml file and click Return.
- The license key disappears from the License Information list.
Option 1 · E-mail
Send the return request file, from any internet-connected computer, to your local distributor or reseller to get the return file.
Option 2 · Online service
- Open license.gstarcad.net and log in with your license key.
- In the License Management tab, click Return License.
- Choose the request XML file you saved and click Submit.
- Download the Response XML from the License Management tab.
Online service center screens
GstarBIM and GstarCAD are linked in GstarADC
- If GstarBIM is activated, GstarCAD activates automatically; no second activation is needed.
- If the GstarBIM authorization is returned, the GstarCAD authorization is returned automatically too.
- If a non-GstarADC version of GstarCAD is installed, activate it separately in GstarCAD once so the authorization is linked.
- In GstarCAD 2027, go to Help menu → Register to activate and return your license if necessary.