Beyond Compare 4 License Key Has Been Revoked May 2026

Beyond Compare 4 by Scooter Software is widely regarded as the gold standard for file and folder comparison. It is an indispensable tool for developers, system administrators, and power users who need to sync directories, compare code versions, or validate data transfers.

However, in recent months, a growing number of users have reported encountering a frustrating and alarming error message: "License key has been revoked."

If you are seeing this pop-up, your workflow has likely ground to a halt. This article provides a comprehensive deep dive into what this message actually means, why it appears, how to fix it if you own a legitimate license, and what your options are if you don't.

The message "This license key has been revoked" in Beyond Compare 4

typically indicates that the software’s developer, Scooter Software, has officially invalidated the license key. When this happens, the application reverts to trial or evaluation mode. Common Reasons for Revocation

Public Leakage: The most frequent cause is a purchased key being leaked to the internet. If Scooter Software identifies a key being shared on forums or "warez" sites, they revoke it to prevent unauthorized use.

Pirated Keys: If you obtained a key from an unofficial source (third-party websites or key generators), it may have been flagged and disabled by the developer.

Breach of Terms: Under the License Agreement, Scooter Software reserves the right to terminate the agreement immediately if they believe a user has breached the terms.

Refund/Return: If a refund was issued (rare and usually within 30 days of purchase), the associated key is revoked. Troubleshooting and Solutions

If you believe your key was revoked in error, or if you accidentally used a leaked key instead of your legitimate one, follow these steps: Pricing - Beyond Compare

Here are a few options for a post, depending on where you are posting (e.g., a tech forum, social media, or a company update) and your specific situation.

The "license key has been revoked" error can usually be resolved through direct communication with the software vendor. Be prepared to provide proof of purchase and follow their guidance to reactivate your license or obtain a new one if necessary. If you're experiencing persistent issues, consider reaching out to a technical support specialist who might be able to provide additional guidance tailored to your specific situation. beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked

Option A: You unknowingly used a bad key (e.g., from a work colleague or old backup).

Option B: You are a legitimate customer seeing this error by mistake.

Option C: You purchased a key from a 3rd party reseller (e.g., eBay, G2A, random blog).

If you're unable to resolve the issue immediately and need to use the software:

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.

If you are posting because this happened to you personally, here is the context usually required to solve it:

A "license key has been revoked" error in Beyond Compare 4 typically indicates that the key has been leaked publicly or flagged as pirated. To resolve this, you can try resetting the local license file or contacting official support for a replacement. Possible Solutions

Reset the License Locally: Deleting the local key file can sometimes clear the revocation status, allowing you to re-enter a valid key.

Windows: Delete the BC4Key.txt file located in %AppData%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\.

Linux: Check /usr/lib64/beyondcompare/BC4Key.txt and remove it if it exists. Beyond Compare 4 by Scooter Software is widely

Mac: Delete the registry.dat file found in /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/.

Contact Scooter Software: If you have a legitimate purchase but your key is revoked, email support@scootersoftware.com. Include your serial number, original order email, or other purchase information so they can issue a new, secure key.

Recover a Lost Key: If you are unsure if you have the correct key, you can request a replacement via the Lost License Key page on the Scooter Software website. Common Causes for Revocation

Key Leaks: If a key is found on public forums or pirate sites, the developer may revoke it for all users to prevent unauthorized use.

Accidental Use of Pirated Keys: Users sometimes unintentionally deploy a leaked key found online instead of their actual purchased key.

Major Version Mismatches: A Beyond Compare 4 key will not work for Beyond Compare 5; ensure you are using the version that matches your license.

Do you have your original purchase email or 8-digit serial number to help with the recovery process? Old key not applicable for newer version? - Scooter Forums

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

typically indicates that the software's security system has flagged the key as invalid or blacklisted Beyond Compare Primary Reasons for Key Revocation Key Leaking/Piracy

: The most common cause is that a registered key has been leaked to the internet. Scooter Software flags keys found on public forums or "crack" sites to prevent unauthorized use. Accidental Use of Shared Keys

: If you are using a key from an unofficial source or if your purchased key was somehow compromised, it may be disabled. Version Mismatch (False Revocation) Option B: You are a legitimate customer seeing

: Sometimes an old key might not be applicable to a specific newer major version update, though major version 4 keys are generally valid for all 4.x minor updates. Malware Harvest

: In some cases, "mod malware" can harvest valid keys, leading to them being shared and eventually revoked by the developer. Beyond Compare How to Resolve the Issue

If you have a legitimate, purchased license that has been revoked, follow these steps: Locate Your Original Order

: Gather your 8-digit serial number, the email address used for the purchase, or the original order confirmation. Contact Support Directly support@scootersoftware.com

. The support team can search their database to verify your purchase and provide a new, valid key if yours was compromised. Clean Up Old License Files

: Before entering a new key, you may need to remove the existing revoked key file to ensure a clean registration: BC4Key.txt %appdata%\scooter software\beyond compare 4\ or the program's installation folder. : Locate the BC4Key.txt (often in the Application Support folder) and remove it. Re-register the Software : Open Beyond Compare, go to Help > Enter Key , and paste the block of text from your license email, including the Beyond Compare For additional help, you can use the Scooter Software Lost Key Finder to retrieve all keys associated with your email address. Beyond Compare manually remove

specific registry entries that might be holding onto a revoked key? Old key not applicable for newer version? - Scooter Forums

I understand you're looking for information about a "Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked" message. However, I cannot and will not provide:

If the $35 price tag is genuinely out of reach for a hobbyist or student, do not use cracked software. Use one of these legal, free alternatives:

A note on the "Trial" extension: Beyond Compare 4 has a generous 30-day fully functional trial. Some users attempt to game this by resetting system clocks or registry keys. This is a violation of the license agreement and often fails. When the trial ends, either buy the software or uninstall it.