--- title: KeyShot Upgrades, Installation, Activation & End of Life FAQs description: Step-by-step KeyShot install/reinstall, node-locked license activation, upgrade options and EOL impact—how to resolve activation issues and request upgrades. --- [Skip to content](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/keyshot-upgrades-installation-activation-end-of-life-faqs#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![KeyShot](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png?height=40&name=keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png) - [Support Home Page](https://www.keyshot.com/support/) - [Sign Out](https://support.keyshot.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Support Home Page](https://www.keyshot.com/support/) - [Sign Out](https://support.keyshot.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - English Show submenu for translations - [My Inbox](https://support.keyshot.com/tickets-view) [My Inbox](https://support.keyshot.com/tickets-view?hsLang=en) Tell us what's happening - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Support Knowledge Base](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Technical Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en) 3. [KeyShot Studio](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio) # KeyShot Upgrades, Installation, Activation & End of Life FAQs ## This article describes upgrade options, installation and re‑installation steps, license activation behavior, and support-related details for KeyShot versions based on current product lifecycle and licensing procedures. ### Are there upgrade options? - There is no free upgrade path for expired or older licenses. - Customers can inquire about pricing and available upgrade paths by contacting us [here](https://www.keyshot.com/contact/). ### What are the product lifecycle and support implications? - KeyShot versions reach defined end‑of‑life (EOL) dates. After a version’s EOL: - Product downloads are removed. - License servers are unavailable for license reactivation. - Technical assistance for that version is no longer provided. - Examples of EOL dates: - KeyShot 9: January 1, 2025 - KeyShot 10: January 1, 2026 - KeyShot 11: April 1, 2027 - Check the KeyShot Studio [Product Life Cycle Roadmap](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/keyshot-product-life-cycle-roadmap?hsLang=en) for further details. - Node‑locked licenses: KeyShot can reactivate node‑locked licenses until the version’s official EOL date. Manual reactivation for node‑locked licenses requires a support engineer to issue a new license file (.lic). ### How do I reinstall KeyShot Studio? Follow steps outlined on the [How to reinstall KeyShot Studio](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/how-to-do-a-fresh-install-of-keyshot?hsLang=en) article. ### Additional Resources #### License file installation (node‑locked) 1. Start KeyShot and open the registration wizard (or, if in demo mode: Help on Windows or KeyShot on macOS \> Activate License). 2. Select Activate my license. 3. Choose I have a node‑locked license file. 4. Browse to and open the .lic file. 5. Click Finish — KeyShot should be activated. #### Manual reactivation and support - Manual reactivation of node‑locked licenses requires a support engineer to generate and issue a new license file. - For upgrade details or to request upgrade pricing, contact KeyShot on the [Contact Us](https://www.keyshot.com/contact/) page and select 'General Inquiry' subject option. - For technical issues that persist after reinstalling (for example, activation errors), support recommends: - Performing a full uninstall and reinstall using the full installer. - Deleting or restoring resource folders to local default locations (not on network drives). - Keeping the application and resource folders on local drives (not on OneDrive or network drives), since installing or storing resources on network drives or OneDrive can cause issues. #### Common installation troubleshooting tips - Always use the full installer rather than an update installer when doing a fresh install. - Ensure KeyShot application and resource folders are stored locally (not on OneDrive or other network drives). - Delete the application and resource folders listed above before reinstalling to ensure a clean install. - If activation errors persist after a fresh install, capture a full screenshot of the activation window and contact support for further assistance. - [Technical Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [KeyShot Studio](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio) - [Network Rendering](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#network-rendering) - [KeyVR](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyvr) - [Plugins](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#plugins) - [How-To](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#how-to) - [KeyShot Hub](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-hub) - [KeyShot Web](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/technical-support?hsLang=en#keyshot-web) - [License Support](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Node-Lock](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#node-lock) - [Floating](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#floating) - [Subscription](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/license-support?hsLang=en#subscription) - [FAQs](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General FAQs](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#general-faqs) - [Key VR](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#key-vr) - [KeyShot Studio FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-studio-faqs) - [KeyShot Web FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-web-faqs) - [KeyShot Network Rendering FAQ's](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-network-rendering-faqs) - [KeyShot WebViewer](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en#keyshot-webviewer) - [Announcements](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/announcements?hsLang=en) - [Learning Content](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Webinars](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#webinars) - [Quick Tips](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/learning-content?hsLang=en#quick-tips) - [Downloads](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/downloads?hsLang=en) - [Best Practices](https://support.keyshot.com/en/knowledge-base/best-practices?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://support.keyshot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png?width=63&height=24&name=keyshot-logo-blk-3d.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.keyshot.com/) keyshot.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, KeyShot