The license file is a plain text file (typically named smartsvn.license) containing encrypted or encoded license information. It is generated by Wandisco (or previous licensor Syntevo) after purchasing a SmartSVN Pro subscription. The file is tied to:
You do not edit this file manually; corrupting it will invalidate the license.
Copy the supplied smartsvn.license into the appropriate application data folder (listed above) while SmartSVN is closed.
Pro Tip: If the
SmartSVNfolder does not exist in these locations, create it manually. The application will recognize the folder structure when it launches. smartsvn license file
While the file is human-readable, it contains a digital signature section. If you edit the XML (e.g., changing the expiration date), SmartSVN will detect the broken signature and reject the license. This ensures the file cannot be tampered with.
The location depends on your operating system and whether you are using a portable version.
| OS | Path (Typical) |
|----|----------------|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\SmartSVN\18\smartsvn.license (version number may vary) |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/SmartSVN/18/smartsvn.license |
| Linux | ~/.smartsvn/18/smartsvn.license | The license file is a plain text file
For portable installations, the license file is in the same folder as the SmartSVN executable or its data subfolder.
Note: The version number (e.g.,
18,19,20) changes with major releases. Licenses are often valid for a specific major version, but some subscriptions cover one year of all updates.
Unlike many modern SaaS tools that require an online portal, SmartSVN's license file is designed for secure environments. You can activate the software on a machine that has no internet connection by manually placing the license file into the application directory. You do not edit this file manually; corrupting
When you launch SmartSVN for the first time without a license, it opens in "Evaluation Mode" and displays a dialog box offering to enter a license.
Method 1: Via GUI (easiest)
Method 2: Manual copy (headless/CI)
Method 3: Command-line registration (for automation)
smartsvn --register /path/to/your/license.lic