Knowledgebase

Question:

How do I enter serial keys manually for the PDF-XChange family of products?

Resolution:

PDF XChange has now moved to a new serial key licensing system, All newly generated license keys will follow this standard. The new system offers both the standard serial key method of licensing our applications, as well as the option to use a license file. The license file is know an an "XCVault file," which is a modified .zip file. The main benefit of this feature is that there is no longer a need to reinstall the software if you are using an evaluation version and intend to upgrade. Additionally, it will install all valid license keys on your system in a single operation. Further information about this process is available here.

If serial keys are being installed manually then we recommend that the associated products are first reinstalled. Follow the steps below to enter serial keys manually. PDF-XChange Standard instructions available here.

XCvault File

The XCVault file is a downloadable, clickable file contains your license.  Once our software has been installed Windows "knows" how to handle files of the extension .xcvault and double clicking the file will apply the license for the current user.  The XCVault file can be downloaded from your account page https://www.pdf-xchange.com/myaccount and can be used directly (double click) or passed to the XCVault.exe utility for unattended installation of a license.

PDF-XChange Editor

Note that PDF-Tools and PDF-XChange Viewer follow similar instructions, though the UI looks different.

1. Navigate to Help, then click License Key: 

The Preferences dialog box will open.

2. Click Add New License Key:

The Add New License Key/Activation Code dialog box will open.

3. Copy the license key to the clipboard and then click Paste Key from Clipboard:

4. Click Continue. The license key will then be added.

PDF-XChange Standard

You can also open most applications Print dialog (Ctrl+P) and click Printer Properties, this allows you to skip to step 4.

1. Open the Start Menu and search for Printers & Scanners:

2. Locate PDF-XChange Standard. Then Click Manage.

3.Click Printer Properties.

The PDF-XChange Standard Printing Preferences dialog box will open. 

4. Click the About tab and then click Registration:

The License Keys dialog box will open.

5. Click Add new Serial Key:

The Add New Serial/License Key dialog box will open.

6. Copy the license key to the clipboard and then click Paste Key from Clipboard:

7. Click Continue. The license key will then be added.

PDF-XChange PRO

Please note that PDF-XChange PRO is a bundle package that contains the applications PDF-XChange Editor, PDF-Tools and PDF-XChange Standard. If you have a serial key for PDF-XChange PRO then please follow the steps detailed above to add the serial key to one of the appications contained within the bundle. The other applications will then update automatically.

If the above methods do not work then please contact us for assistance. Our contact page is located here.

PDF-XChange SDK Products

If you have any questions about implementing a license into our SDK products, please see the respective SDK Product Manual for detailed instructions and examples. If you have further inquiries, please write an email to support@pdf-xchange.com