Managing licenses efficiently is critical for ensuring uninterrupted access to 4D applications, especially for subscription-based licenses like 4D Desktop. A common question among developers is whether these licenses can be automatically refreshed using the Refresh license command, eliminating the need for manual user intervention.

The documentation for the Refresh license command states that it does nothing when executed locally on a remote client or in 4D single-user mode. This raises the question of whether 4D Desktop subscription licenses can be automatically updated, as manual annual license activation is considered inconvenient for users.The license refresh process for 4D Desktop subscriptions is designed to be seamless and is outlined below in a structured format for clarity.

Automatic license refresh process applies to all temporary licenses (e.g., subscription licenses for 4D Server and Single User, including 4D Desktop and 4D Developer Edition, except OEM licenses for versions <= R8). 4D automatically initiates a license update 10 days before the license expires. The process requires an active internet connection. If the update fails, a dialog prompts the user to manually refresh the license.

Expansions: The refresh process automatically adds or removes assigned expansions (e.g., additional 4D Write Pro licenses for 4D Server).

Manual Refresh Option

• Users can manually trigger a refresh by clicking the "Refresh Button" in the license Manager dialog, which is useful for adding expansions to perpetual licenses.

• For headless 4D Server setups (where no user interface is available), the Refresh license command allows programmatic license updates.