Autodesk Activation Problem - Solved

If you remember a few weeks ago I had an activation nightmare when trying to activate Revit 2013.  Every time I would run the activation process I would get a blank screen or radial buttons off the screen.  After research and trial and error I finally got the damn thing to activate.

Well, fast forward to today.  I am fresh off of RTC USA and installing some new software out of pure inspiration.  This software includes Navisworks Manage 2013, 3D Max 2012 and 2013... and CryEngine 3 (thanks for the class Marcello!).  Well, it turns out the activation issue doe not only effect Revit.  In fact, all the setting and tweaks to HTML files I made for the Revit activation were overridden by me new Autodesk installs!

Well, for the sake of my sanity and yours I decided to take a few minutes and tweak every HTML file that has to do with the Autodesk installs.  For subscribing to this blog you can download the files and never have to tweak the HTML codes again....  

So from now on when you try and activate any Autodesk product and you are staring at a blank window, offset radial buttons, or nothing at all give this a try.  Simply use the zip file I created.  Extract the files somewhere safe.  Copy and paste them into the following directory:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdLM\R5\en-US\Webdepot

Notice where I highlighted the "R5" in the directory location.  From what I can tell "R5" has to do with the 2013 products and there will be an R4 and R3 folder if you have 2010 and 2011 products.  You will have to do the copy and paste into each "Web Depot" folder of each "R..."  folder.  It will ask you to give permission and if you want to replace the current files.  Say yes.  Launch your Autodesk and run the activation sequence again.

One little caveat.  You have to re-copy and replace these HTML files every time you install a new product... So save the zip file for sure. 

Subscribe to this blog FREE and download the working HTML files:

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My Activation Nightmare

Well, I finally was able to activate Revit 2013 on my desktop.... If you have been following the blog you will remember this post over the weekend.

Some helpful readers responded with their possible solutions.  Most people, including myself, figured it was an Internet Explorer issue.  Well, it was... A reader commented and directed me to this link:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=6404339&linkID=9240617

I followed all of those steps numerous times with no luck.  Basically, I was determined to fix the issue without having to reformat my machine.  Not a crazy thing to think, right?  I mean does Autodesk really expect us to just reformat every year??

The most progress I was making was when following the 4th step in the above link.  There is one thing you have to realize when using that step... The Revit 2013 file ARE NOT IN THE DIRECTORY POSTED IN THE LINK.  I am not sure if this will be the same for every computer but here is the location of my Revit 2013 .html files...

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdLM\R5\en-US\Webdepot

Notice that the "R1" from the link is now an "R5"...  That was a huge step in the right direction.  With each HTML file I updated I got a tad bit further in the activation sequence.  Eventually I got all the way to the point where I can click "Activate Online Now"...  I clicked it... And....

HAHA FANTASTIC!  As I checked my school email I realized all the failed attempts were somehow being registered as activated.... Needless to say I called Autodesk today and I am FINALLY running my registered copy of Revit 2013.

If you run into the same problem feel free to email me or comment below.  I wish I took screenshots of the process but as you can tell I don't want to relive it.

I would like to thank Autodesk for taking something so simple and integral and making it an absolute mess.

***EDIT**** I finally solved it!!!  Hopefully this post will help you all now!!!!