To enter a new, valid key, you first need to clear the old one.
When you enter a license key into Beyond Compare 4, the software periodically phones home (or checks a local cache) to validate the key against Scooter Software’s database. If the server reports that the key is revoked, Beyond Compare immediately disables advanced features and reverts to a trial mode, typically showing the revocation message.
Navigate to /home/yourusername/.config/bcompare and delete all files in this directory.
Do not waste hours hunting for another "free key" that will only be revoked again next week. Make a decision based on your situation: beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked
In corporate environments, an administrator or user might have mistakenly deployed a public or invalid key instead of the company's actual purchased license key. How to Resolve the Issue 1. If you are a legitimate paying customer:
In the software world, "revocation" is a severe action. Unlike an expired key (which simply stops working on a set date), a revoked key is actively blacklisted by the software's licensing server.
If you want, I can draft a concise support email template to send to Scooter Software (or to your reseller) including the details they typically need. To enter a new, valid key, you first
If you are using a legitimate corporate license provided by your employer, it might have a strict seat limit (e.g., a 50-user license). If the IT department rolls out the same key to 100 machines, or if former employees keep using the key on personal devices, the activation server may flag the key for abuse and temporarily revoke it until the organization upgrades its plan. 4. Refunded or Disputed Purchases
Do not attempt to use workaround hacks. Instead, reach out directly to Scooter Software support. Email them at support@scootersoftware.com Include your serial number email address
Look for the key file in ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/ . Navigate to /home/yourusername/
For now, the methods above will get you back to work quickly. Your file comparisons, code merges, and folder synchronizations are only minutes away from running smoothly again.
Depending on how you obtained the key, use the following methods to restore your software functionality. Method 1: Remove the Revoked Key and Start Fresh
This is the most common reason for revocation. If an organization buys a multi-user or site license, and an employee accidentally shares that key on a public platform like GitHub, Reddit, or a public forum, automated scrapers will find it. Once a private key is published online, thousands of people download it. Scooter Software quickly detects this sudden spike in activations from different global IP addresses and revokes the key entirely. 2. Use of "Cracked" or Pirated Keys
The revocation flag lives somewhere inside this configuration folder. Deleting it forces Beyond Compare to forget the revoked status.