How to apply a license file in ADManager Plus to activate or upgrade your edition?

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Objective

If you've received a valid license file, whether through evaluation, purchase, or upgrade, you'll need to apply it in ADManager Plus to activate the Standard or Professional Edition or to upgrade from the Free/Evaluation Edition. This article walks you through applying the license to unlock the full set of features based on your edition.

Prerequisites

  • ADManager Plus is already installed and running.
  • You have received a valid .xml license file from ManageEngine/Zoho Corp.
  • You are logged into ADManager Plus with a built-in admin account or a technician with super admin privileges.

Steps to follow

Step 1: Apply the license in ADManager Plus

  1. Log in to ADManager Plus with a built-in admin account or a technician with super admin privileges.
  2. Click the License icon in the top-right corner of the web interface.
  3. A pop-up window titled License Details will appear, showing your current edition, version, and license status.
  4. Click Browse next to the Enter License File field.
  5. Select the .xml license file you received.
  6. Click Upgrade to activate the license.

Step 2: Confirm license upgrade

  1. Once the license is applied, the window will refresh automatically.
  2. Verify the following:
    • Your license type (e.g., Standard or Professional)
    • License expiration date, if applicable
    • Updated domain and help desk technician limits, as per your license

Step 3: Upgrading from a Free or Evaluation Edition

  1. Open the License window again.
  2. Click Upgrade Now.
  3. Browse and select the .xml license file.
  4. Click Upgrade to apply the license.

Tips

  • The Free Edition supports up to 100 Active Directory objects in a single domain.
  • Licenses are domain-specific. Make sure you're applying the license to the correct domain.
  • In some cases, you may need to restart the ADManager Plus service for changes to take effect.
  • For testing or staging environments, you can request a separate license from ManageEngine Support.

How to reach support

If the issue persists, contact our support team here.