RSLogix 5000 offline activation workaround v16, v17, v18, v19, v20

[SolarNinja]

So I think I found a bug that enables you to activate RSLogix5000 without going through the activation process. I think it requires v20.00, but it may work with v20.01, I dunno. After doing it the first time I deleted the HDD partitions and reinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit and was able to reproduce the results. Here are instructions mirroring EXACTLY what I did:

You must have RSLogix v20.00.00 to exploit this bug. It will allow you to install v20 along with any previous versions you may have without having to use any Rockwell software to activate them. You must have a valid serial number for v20. This bug was tested on an ASUS X551C laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit, updated with all Windows updates. You CANNOT use installers downloaded from Rockwell's website after StudioLogix came out, you have to use legacy software from before SudioLogix.

1. Prepare your machine to start the RSLogix 5000 installation process, then create a restore point. I updated windows until Windows Update told me that no updates were available. I also installed Avast Free Antivirus. NOTE: You may have to allocate additional space for restore points as Windows automatically deletes oldest one as allocated restore point space diminishes.

2. Install v20.00.00. Choose FactoryTalk Client as the activation method. When FactoryTalk opens click "View Available Activations", then click "Home", and close the window.

3. Run RSLogix 5000. If you get a fatal error upon launching you know you are on the right track. Let it generate the error log and close itself.

4. Use the restore point you created before installing v20.00.00.

NOTE: It may not be necessary to install v20.00.00 then reverting to a restore point, that's just one of the steps I took to make this work.

5. Install RSLinx. When I tried installing RSLinx it returned an error stating that the installer could not close service "Rockwell Directory Multiplexer". I tried stopping the service and I could not, it said I did not have access priveledges. I used msconfig to disable the service and restarted and did not get the error.

6. Install all versons of RSLogix 5000 in chronological order using the serial number for v20.00 for all versions. v20.00 must be installed last. At the end of each install, when it asks how you would like to activate your software, choose "FactoryTalk Client". When FactoryTalk Client opens, click "View Available Activations", then click "Home" and close FactoryTalk.

7. Prior to installing v20.00, if you attempt to open RSLogix 5000 it will tell you that you are on a trial period.

8. After installing v20.00 open RSLogix 5000. You should receive a fatal error, and the program will generate a log file and close. Let it finish generating the log file and let it close.

9. Now run RSLogix 5000 as administrator. It will open without the error, and show all of the versions you have installed on the splash screen. Close the program.

10. You may now run RSLogix 5000 as a regular user and your product is activated.

NOTE: My RSLogix v20.00.00 has a license for v24 AND all previous versions. Don't know if the same is true for all v20.00 licenses, or if that even matters or not.


Anyway, hope this helps someone! Would be helpful if someone else were to try it on another windows 7 32 bit laptop and post their findings!