Beyond Compare 4 License Key Has Been Revoked Free May 2026

If you have recently attempted to open Beyond Compare 4 (BC4) only to be greeted by a message stating that your license key has been revoked, you are not alone. This has become a widespread issue for users who acquired the software through unofficial channels.

Here is a breakdown of why this is happening, the software’s licensing model, and how to resolve it legitimately.

If you're unable to resolve the licensing issue and are looking for free alternatives, here are some options:

Beyond Compare 4 offers a free trial period, allowing users to evaluate its features. However, for continued use beyond the trial period, a license key is required. The software offers various licensing options, including a personal license for individual use and a business license for commercial or organizational use.

If you received a revoked key from a third party, uninstall Beyond Compare, remove any leftover license files, and either buy a legitimate license or switch to a free diff tool. The time lost hunting for working keys almost always exceeds the cost of a proper license.

A "revoked" license message in Beyond Compare 4 typically occurs if you have upgraded to a version not supported by your current key or if the key has been flagged by the manufacturer. Common Fixes for a Revoked Key beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked free

If you are seeing this error, try these steps to restore functionality:

Re-enter the Key as Admin (Windows): Locate and delete the file BC4Key.txt from your local machine, then restart Beyond Compare as an Administrator and re-paste your full license key.

User Account Location: %appdata%\scooter software\beyond compare 4\BC4Key.txt.

System-Wide Location: C:\Program Files\Beyond Compare 4\BC4Key.txt.

Downgrade Your Version: If you recently updated, your existing license might not be compatible with the newer build. Check your original order email for the supported version number and reinstall that specific version from the Scooter Software website. If you have recently attempted to open Beyond

Request a Replacement: If you believe your key was revoked in error, you can use the Lost License Key tool to retrieve a legitimate copy associated with your email. Evaluation Mode "Resets"

Users often look for ways to reset the trial when keys are revoked. While the software is paid, some users utilize scripts to extend the evaluation period:

Windows (PowerShell): Running reg delete "HKCU\Software\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4" /v "CacheID" /f can sometimes reset trial flags in the registry.

macOS: Users often delete the registry.dat file located in ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/ to reset the 30-day evaluation timer.

Note: Beyond Compare licenses are typically perpetual for a specific major version, meaning you don't have to pay annual fees for that version. Beyond Compare 4 license for Windows, Mac, Linux · GitHub If you're unable to resolve the licensing issue

A "revoked" license message in Beyond Compare 4 typically occurs if a key has been leaked publicly pirated key

If you are seeing this error, you can resolve it by purging the invalid registration and reverting to a trial or re-entering a genuine key. How to Fix "License Key Revoked" Error

To fix this, you must manually delete the cached license file so the software "forgets" the revoked key. Delete the License File %AppData%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\ and delete the BC4Key.txt : Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/ and delete BC4Key.txt ~/.config/bcompare/ and delete BC4Key.txt Clear the Registry (Windows only) Registry Editor Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4 Delete the Restart the Software Beyond Compare will now open in Evaluation Mode If you have a genuine key, go to Help > Enter Key and paste the entire block including the Why Keys Get Revoked Public Leaks

: If a genuine key is posted on forums or Gists, the developer ( Scooter Software ) may blacklist it. Version Mismatch

: While keys work for all minor updates (e.g., 4.1 to 4.4), they may not work across major versions (e.g., a BC3 key won't work in BC4). Trial Resets : Users sometimes use scripts to delete the to reset the 30-day evaluation period indefinitely. Beyond Compare 4 Trial Reset - GitHub Gist

If your Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked or you're facing issues with it, here are some steps and considerations: