Table of Contents
Command line activation of Fotoware applications using Fotoware License Tool
Fotoware License Tool is a command-line utility for activating all applications, supporting scripted deployments and replacing fwappactwiz.
25. June 2026
Table of Contents
Where to get it?
When you install a Fotoware product (Fotostation, or any server product with Operations Center), Fotoware License Tool is automatically installed. Look for the Fotoware License Tool in your list of installed applications.
Alternatively, you can find fwLicenseTool in the Fotoware Customer Portal under Utilities in the Downloads section.
Starting the Fotoware License Tool
Windows
- Once you have installed fwLicenseTool, open the Windows Start menu and search for Fotoware License Tool.
- Select it from the Start menu to open a command prompt and display the utility's help text.
Mac
In Fotostation for Mac, fwLicenseTool is located in the application bundle. Use the following commands from the terminal:
cd /Applications/Fotostation.app/Contents/MacOS/./fwlicensetool [options]
Usage
The procedure is the same for Windows and Mac, with a few exceptions.
Windows:
In Windows, there are options for installing/uninstalling services. The installer invokes these and should normally not be used.
Mac:
If the FlexNet licensing service isn’t already installed, fwlicenstool will automatically try to install it when you invoke a command in the Mac version.
This requires administrator privileges; use sudo to achieve this, for example: sudo ./fwlicensetool -l c
Otherwise, fwLicenseTool does not need to run as an administrator.
General syntax
1 |
fwlicensetool [options] |
Options
| Flags | Description |
|---|---|
| -?, -h, --help | Display this help |
| -v, --version | Display version information |
| -a, --activate <license> | Activate a license key |
| -l, --list | List all licenses, pass optional "c" for compact list |
| -d, --deactivate <Fulfillment ID | License key | "all"> | Deactivate a license |
| -r, --remove <Fulfillment ID | License key | "all"> | Remove a license |
| --repair | Repair broken licenses. Run the command without additional options to repair all broken licenses on the system |
| --renew |
Renew all licenses with less than 30 days to expiry. Note: This option only works if the agreement has been renewed and the renewed agreement uses the same license keys. If the license has already expired, you can use the activate command. |
| -p, --proxy <proxyserver:port> | Use an HTTP proxy for activating or deactivating |
| -c, --credentials <username:password> | Provide proxy credentials. |
| --oa, --offline_activation <License key> | Create an offline activation request file. See here. |
| --or, --offline_response <Filename> | Read and activate the offline activation response file. See here. |
| --vf, --validate_feature <Feature> | Check if a feature is valid. --version_date is also required |
| --vd, --version_date <VersionDate> | Specify version date corresponding to app release, <yyyy.mm>. This argument is only used with:--validate_feature
|
| -i, --installservice | Install FlexNet license service (Windows only) Note: You need administrative privileges to run this option. |
| -u, --uninstallservice | Uninstall FlexNet license service (Windows only) Note: You need administrative privileges to run this option. |
| --ba, --batch-activate <input file> | Activate a batch of license keys from the text file. You can use any text file containing the licenses, for example, the .CSV file from the Customer Portal. |
Renewing subscription licenses
We reuse the same license keys when renewing an agreement. Instead of activating new license keys, you can use the --renew option in Fotoware License Tool to renew or reactivate your existing license keys. This option only works for licenses that are within 30 days of their expiry date; if the license has already expired, this command won't work, and you need to use the --remove command instead.
Fotostation - Fotostation has a built-in UI for managing licenses. When a license is approaching its expiration date, you receive a notification and can renew it directly in the UI.
Simplified activation of multiple keys
If you need to activate multiple license keys on the same machine at the same time, you can use batch activation. You can use any text file containing the licenses as the command argument, for example, the CSV file from the Customer Portal. Use the --ba, --batch-activate <input file> option to activate all licenses simultaneously.
Repairing a broken license
This problem can arise if you add or remove hardware from your computer system, as this can change the computer's hardware fingerprint.
- Fotostation will automatically try to repair the “base license” if it is broken.
- For other products or addon licenses in Fotostation, use:
fwlicensetool ––repair
Offline activation
Offline activation is used for computers that cannot connect to the internet, for example, if they are located on an isolated network or because outbound internet access is restricted. Since the application cannot contact the Fotoware licensing service directly, the activation is performed using an intermediate computer with internet access.
The process consists of three steps:
1. Generate an activation request file on the offline computer. This request contains information that uniquely identifies the computer and the license to be activated, but it does not activate the license on its own.
2. Transfer the request to a computer with Internet access and submit it to the Fotoware licensing service. The licensing service validates the request and generates an activation response that is cryptographically tied to the original computer.
3. Transfer the activation response back to the offline computer and import it using the Fotoware License Tool. The response completes the activation and enables the licensed product on that specific computer.
Because the activation response is generated specifically for the original request, you cannot reuse it on another computer or with a different request. If you reinstall the operating system or make significant hardware changes, you may need to perform a new offline activation.
Offline activation example
Create an offline activation request
macOS./fwlicensetool --oa XXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXXOffline request was successfully written to file: /Users/username/offline_request.fwar
Windowsfwlicensetool.exe --oa XXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXXOffline request was successfully written to file: C:\Users\username\offline_request.fwar
Transfer the generated offline_request.fwar file to a computer with internet access and upload it to the FotoWare licensing service.
Complete the offline activation
macOS./fwlicensetool --or "/Users/username/Downloads/activation_response.fwar"Offline activation was completed successfully!
Windowsfwlicensetool.exe --or "C:\Users\username\Downloads\activation_response.fwar"Offline activation was completed successfully!
Import the activation response file to complete the activation on the offline computer.
If offline activation fails, see What to do if offline activation fails.