Solving the "Beyond Compare 4 License Key Has Been Revoked" Error

It can be incredibly frustrating to open your go-to file comparison tool only to find your valid license key has been revoked. This typically occurs when a registered key is leaked to the internet or accidentally replaced by a pirated version.

Here is how you can resolve this issue and get back to work. 1. Why Was My Key Revoked?

Key Leakage: If your unique license key ends up on public forums or gist sites, Scooter Software may revoke it to prevent widespread piracy.

Pirated Key Conflict: Sometimes users inadvertently install a "cracked" version of the software that includes a public (and subsequently revoked) key, which can overwrite their legitimate one.

Version Mismatch: While Beyond Compare 4 licenses work for all minor updates (e.g., 4.1 to 4.4), they are not valid for major version upgrades like Beyond Compare 5. 2. Immediate Fix: Re-entering Your Original Key

Sometimes the application’s registration file becomes corrupted. You can often fix this by manually clearing the old data: Locate the License File:

Windows: Delete BC4Key.txt located in %appdata%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\.

macOS: Look for the key file in ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/.

Restart & Register: Open Beyond Compare 4, go to Help > Enter Key, and paste your entire original license key (including the --- BEGIN LICENSE KEY --- and --- END LICENSE KEY --- lines). 3. How to Get a Replacement Key

If you have a legitimate purchase but your key is still showing as revoked, do not panic. Scooter Software offers several ways to recover or replace your license:

Check Your Account: Login to your account to view all keys associated with your email address.

Contact Support: Email support@scootersoftware.com with your original order email or 8-digit serial number. They can often issue a replacement key if yours was compromised.

Upgrade if Necessary: If you are trying to use a version 4 key on version 5, check the Upgrade Center to see if you qualify for a free or discounted update. 4. Avoiding Future Revocations

Keep it Private: Never share your key on public repositories or company-wide Slack channels.

Backup Your Key: Keep a copy of your registration email in a secure password manager.

Download Officially: Only download installers directly from the Official Scooter Software Site to avoid bundled malware or pirated keys.

Do you need help finding your 8-digit serial number to contact support?

Pro version key for Beyond Compare - v4.2.3.22587 - GitHub Gist

If you see a message stating that your Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked

it usually indicates that the software has detected a key that has been leaked, blacklisted, or associated with unauthorized distribution Why This Happens The key was leaked on the internet:

If a valid key is publicly shared on forums or repositories, the developer (Scooter Software) will revoke it in subsequent minor updates to prevent piracy. Use of a pirated key:

If you obtained the key from a third-party keygen, crack site, or unofficial sharing hub, it will eventually be flagged and blocked by the software. Accidental deployment:

In corporate environments, an administrator or user might have mistakenly deployed a public or invalid key instead of the company's actual purchased license key. How to Resolve the Issue 1. If you are a legitimate paying customer:

Do not attempt to use workaround hacks. Instead, reach out directly to Scooter Software support. Email them at support@scootersoftware.com Include your serial number email address

used for the original order, or any other proof of purchase. They will locate your valid order and issue you a clean, unrevoked license key. 2. If you need to clear the revoked key to enter a new one:

If the software is locked and won't let you overwrite the bad key, you can manually clear the stored license data to revert the software back to evaluation/trial mode or input a fresh, valid key: On Windows: Close Beyond Compare. %APPDATA%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\

and delete all files in that folder (this removes the stored BC4Key.txt (Optional)

To clear the system cache ID, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4" /v "CacheID" /f Close the application.

Open a terminal and delete the configuration folder by running: rm -rf ~/.config/bcompare Close the application. Delete the support folder located at: ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare 4/

on how to retrieve a lost license key directly from the official Scooter Software website? Beyond Compare 4 license for Windows, Mac, Linux · GitHub

The "license key has been revoked" error in Beyond Compare 4

typically occurs if a key is flagged for being leaked publicly or if a pirated key is used instead of a purchased one. Common Reasons for Revocation

Key Leaked Online: If a valid key is found on public forums or gist repositories, Scooter Software may revoke it to prevent widespread unauthorized use.

Pirated Keys: Using keys from unauthorized sources rather than the official Scooter Software store often results in revocation.

Version Mismatch: While minor updates are free, some keys are version-specific; ensure your key is valid for Version 4. How to Fix the Error Beyond Compare 4 license for Windows, Mac, Linux · GitHub

The message "Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked" generally indicates that the license key has been leaked publicly or flagged for a violation of the License Agreement Common Reasons for Revocation Public Leakage:

The most frequent cause is when a private license key is shared on the internet. Scooter Software monitors for leaked keys and disables them to prevent unauthorized use. Agreement Breach: V4 License Agreement

, Scooter Software reserves the right to terminate a license immediately if they believe a breach has occurred. Incorrect Key Format:

While usually resulting in a "Bad License Key" error, an incomplete or incorrectly copied key (e.g., missing the headers) can cause registration failure. Beyond Compare Recommended Fixes

If you believe your license was revoked in error, follow these steps:

What do I do with a "Bad License Key" error? - Apryse documentation

Part 4: The Hidden Danger of "Cracked" or Revoked Keys

If you are using a revoked key because you downloaded it from a crack site, you need to be aware of serious risks beyond the missing features.

  1. Malware Risk: "Keygens" and "cracks" for Beyond Compare 4 are a common vector for malware, including password stealers, crypto miners, and ransomware. The file that promises "unlimited license" often delivers a backdoor to your system.
  2. No Updates: Legitimate users receive free updates for the entire 4.x version lifecycle. With a revoked key, you are stuck on an old, potentially vulnerable version. You miss out on critical bug fixes and performance improvements.
  3. Wasted Time: As you've already experienced, chasing broken keys is a massive productivity sink. Every hour you spend searching for a "working key" is an hour you aren't comparing files.

6. Prevent Future Issues

Part 1: What Does "License Key Has Been Revoked" Actually Mean?

In the software world, "revocation" is a severe action. Unlike an expired key (which simply stops working on a set date), a revoked key is actively blacklisted by the software's licensing server.

When you enter a license key into Beyond Compare 4, the software periodically phones home (or checks a local cache) to validate the key against Scooter Software’s database. If the server reports that the key is revoked, Beyond Compare immediately disables advanced features and reverts to a trial mode, typically showing the revocation message.