topic Opening Older Archicad files - Major Problems! in Licensing

Opening Older Archicad files - Major Problems!

Patrick M — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:54:40 GMT

this is kind of critical... I know its been posted before, but those posts seem to have garnered little to no response.
the new cloud licenses do not allow us to open "legacy" versions of the software. We can not open files older than 17 in archicad versions newer than 27, and we can not open archicad 26 with the new licenses.
...
many (most) of us are long time archicad guys, who suddenly find ourselves unable to open our own projects.

Operating system used: Mac Intel-based

Re: Opening Older Archicad files - Major Problems!

Barry Kelly — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:04:26 GMT

The cloud licenses should open all versions from 26 onwards.

For 25 or below, you need a software or hardware key.

26 can open files back to version 10 (I think), so open old files in 26, save and then you can open them in 29 if you want.

But, if you say you can not open version 26 software with a cloud license, you will need to speak to your local distributor.

You should be able to open 26 with a cloud license.

It works for me.

Barry.