topic Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license? in Licensing

One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:11:40 GMT

I have two physical drives on one computer.
Each disk generally has at least two partitions:
- c: Windows 10 Pro
- d: Program files, ArchiCAD, my documents, projects, etc.
This isn't a RAID system! The second drive is actually a clone of the first drive and I treat it as an archive for easily copying my work from the first drive.
During bootup, I can choose which drive Windows starts from.
I use a hardware license (CodeMeter key). This gives me a lot of freedom and flexibility 🙂

My question:

After switching from a hardware key to a software key, will I be able to boot Windows 1 or Windows 2 without any problems and use ArchiCAD with a software license?

A local reseller stated that ArchiCAD doesn't recognize the software license on Windows 2. Is this true?

I don't want to test and experiment myself so I don't lose the software key, etc.

Operating system used: Windows 10

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Lingwisyer — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:40:35 GMT

A software key or a cloud key?

Copying work? Why duplicate the OS for that? Are you just using some program that manually clones Disk 1 to Disk 0 when executed?

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:01:20 GMT

@Lingwisyer wrote:

A software key or a cloud key?

The distributor said that after switching from CodeMeter to a subscription, I would receive a software key (not a cloud key).
I suspect that in my case, a cloud key would be more convenient for both Windows 1 and Windows 2. Of course, an internet connection would be required.

@Lingwisyer wrote:

Copying work?

The work involves copying D:<->E: files (manually copying doc/pln/gsm/jpg... or, for example, manually copying compressed pln files, etc. – with automatic timestamps in the zip filename).

@Lingwisyer wrote:

Why duplicate the OS for that? Are you just using some program that manually clones Disk 1 to Disk 0 when executed?

For me, the answer is obvious, but I'll try to elaborate a bit.

36 years ago, I started working in front of a private PC/AT386 screen (at that time in college we had a PC/AT286 and AutoCAD).
Since then, I've had to learn a lot about basic computer operation, peripherals, and systems to get by. I had to seek out and ask IT experts because those were completely different times (DOS!) – no internet, no Google. Learning often involved trial and error, trying to understand what was happening where on the computer, in the system, etc., without IT education.
That's why I quickly realized it was worth having access to a "mirror" environment with two drives, but without RAID.

Why?

For emergencies/as a backup plan, etc. Because emergencies usually happen when we least expect them.

What could happen?

For example, something bad happens to the system: I change settings, install something, want to test some software for a few days, etc.).

I simply don't fully trust Windows to completely and effectively "uninstall." That's why I prefer to "play" in a different environment (e.g., Windows 2) rather than the one I'm working on seriously (Windows 1). I can postpone testing/troubleshooting until the next day and return to my everyday environment (Windows 1) by simply restarting the system. Uninstalling unwanted programs from Windows isn't always completely effective. Unfortunately, various unnecessary files remain on the system partition or in the registry. This can slow down Windows and cause difficult-to-diagnose problems, etc.
Or, for example, a program behaves differently in Windows 1 than it did last time. By performing a similar check in Windows 2, I can more quickly determine where the problem lies: in the Windows environment, in a specific program, or perhaps a hardware issue?

Therefore, it's easier for me to restore the system partition from an image than to search for the cause of the problem in the system or software.

It's easier for me to restore the system partition than to install Windows from scratch and then reinstall all the graphics, office, multimedia applications, and utilities. The hardest part is configuring all the software from scratch to the way it was for years—it's simply a matter of habit. Configuration is tedious work that takes several days. Add to that various scripts/batch files that simplify workflows like various image/clip/html/js/css conversions, client project galleries, etc., and at some point you'll have a complete all-in-one solution... 🙂

Unless you're a no-frills user and use programs in their native configurations.

Why else would you want two independent systems (on separate drives)?

1. For example, to make it easier and faster to access different partitions on both drives if Windows 1 fails to boot (due to an error during system restore from an image – this also happens sometimes). Then I can boot into Windows 2 and "recover data..." etc. No need to reach for an external flash drive with backup software! If necessary, I can also boot Linux from a separate partition (not from a USB stick) and use GParted, etc.
2. Or, for example, if the main drive physically fails, I can check it as best I can myself before going to a repair shop and run software tests in Windows 2. This way, I don't have to frantically search for online help on my smartphone, because I can conveniently do it in Windows 2. I can also work more or less normally and use programs like ArchiCAD, MS Office, etc. without noticing much difference. If I travel with a laptop, this can also be useful in emergencies. The cost of having a second physical drive is ridiculously low these days, especially since the second E: partition on the second drive is a manual copy of the 😧 partition on the first drive (you can change the drive letters in Windows 🙂 or delete them if you want to hide the partition, etc.).
3. Finally, if I'm having trouble booting Windows 1, I don't want to waste time trying to save it with OS Recovery tools! In a few minutes, I will restore Windows 1 to the state it was in when the last system image was created.

4. Finally: each disk can work independently (even if one of the pair of disks is disabled or turned off in BIOS; the GRUB boot menu then only provides partitions of one disk)

In terms of the overall workflow:

Two disks with independent systems are like two environments on one physical computer. It's a simple and less complicated way to use "virtual machines."

When it comes to backing up the system partition, I deliberately use standalone Acronis (formerly GHost) instead of the built-in Windows backup tool.

However, I don't need the entire Acronis suite installed in Windows! That's why I've long been using a DOS-based version of Acronis, which runs on a separate partition (previously, I used an Acronis/DOS USB drive).

Of course, having two physical disks on my computer provides a basic level of data security, i.e., the ability to effectively copy to a twin partition on the other D:<->E: drive. The second level of backup is, of course, external USB drives, which I connect every few days to back up data/files.

System partition images are essentially clones (thanks to Acronis). I store these images on twin partitions on both D:<->E: drives (as well as on external USB hard drives).

Furthermore, I have images of the system partition on external HDDs, even from the beginning of the system installation, as well as later key images from various stages of installing individual programs.
Creating an image of the system partition (about 230 GB) takes about 5-7 minutes.
Restoring the system from the image takes slightly less time.
Remember that the system partition contains only the essentials, i.e., Windows and programs whose installation prevented them from being installed on a partition other than the C: system partition. For many years, I installed most programs (graphics, internet, ArchiCAD, TwinMotion, My Documents, etc.) outside the C: system partition, i.e., on the partition D:. Storing most of these programs on partition images doesn't make sense, because they can simply be manually copied (back and forth) to other partitions or external drives (for archival purposes).

I apologize to some users for describing obvious problems. To the rest, I apologize for presenting these concepts in a general and overly complex manner, which makes them not as easy and straightforward to implement as they might seem. This requires a certain amount of experience and skill.

However, there's no need to be discouraged, especially since architects must integrate extensive engineering knowledge from various fields every day. 🙂

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Barry Kelly — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:32:00 GMT

@gaba wrote:

The distributor said that after switching from CodeMeter to a subscription, I would receive a software key (not a cloud key).

Check again with your distributor.

As far as I know, a subscription comes with a cloud license and not a software key.

Yes, you need an internet connection, but a cloud license will follow you no matter what machine you are on.

If it does not load automatically, you can manually release it and re-load it from any machine.

With a software key I am unsure what will happen with your dual Windows system.

The key is downloaded and I assume is stored in your Windows User profile?

So I would say it will be available to only one of your systems.

You must manually release a software key from the machine you are working on before you can use it on another machine.

There is no way to release the key from another machine, it must be done from the one that it was loaded onto.

So, if anything happens to the drive the software license is on (i.e. you restore the system partition from the other drive with no license), you have lost the license and must contact your distributor for then to restore it to your company pool.

Sounds to me like you would want a cloud license, and I am sure this is what you should get with a subscription.

Barry.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:23:53 GMT

Thank you very much Barry!

Yes, you're right.

Unfortunately, my distributor informed me that I won't receive a cloud license after leaving the subscription model.

I now have ArchiCAD 29 and a perpetual license with a CodeMeter USB key.

And I won't be signing up for the promotional 1-year subscription to get a perpetual software license and ArchiCAD 30, since I can't get a perpetual license in the cloud.

Something begins and something ends. That's a shame.😕

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Barry Kelly — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:17:58 GMT

There is no perpetual license beyond 30, but if you have one now, that will never be taken away from you.

So you can stop now in 29 or 30 and never upgrade again, or switch to the subscription and get new updates for Archicad so long as you stay subscribed.

If you cancel the subscription in future, you will still have your 29 or 30 perpetual license to use.

Of course if you are working in version 35 when you cancel the subscription, you won't be able to open those version 35 files without back saving to 29 or 30.

If you do subscribe your current hardware key will be downgraded to 25 and you will receive a cloud license for 26+.

Should you cancel the subscription I assume to hardware key will be re-instated to 29 or 30, but I am not 100% sure what happens to the licenses on cancellation - whether they re-instate your hardware key or give you a software license.

Other than Graphisoft have said you will revert to your last perpetual version.

I know you will no longer have the cloud license though.

The USB key will work on what ever dual system you have set up as you simply plug it into the machine and Archicad will find it.

Barry.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:41:38 GMT

Barry, I've had a perpetual license with a CodeMeter key for many years.

My perpetual license, along with ArchiCAD29, expires in August 2026.

That's why I tried to take advantage of the annual subscription promotion to purchase a perpetual license and ArchiCAD30 in the fall of 2026.

Unfortunately, I won't be using this subscription because I'd rather stick with ArchiCAD29 and the USB key than buy a perpetual license with the ArchiCAD30 software license.

Thank you for your interest and responses.

I will inform the distributor that Graphisoft LMT will not convert my CodeMeter key to a CLOUD (?!) key during the subscription period, as I will receive a SOFTWARE key for an indefinite period after canceling.

I understand the GS policy, but in this case it does not provide me with any benefits in terms of convenience and flexibility.

On the contrary, I would have limited opportunities to comfortably use ArchiCAD on my computer.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

fabioverissimoTUU — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:57:43 GMT

I understand you are doing and the permanent redundancy ready system, It's overkill for me, but I like that rabbit hole!

I also understand the freedom of the USB Key, with the software key you must "upload/liberate" the key in order to change to another system.

However there is a way to make it easier to always "liberate/upload" the key. In the Help menu you click "Disconnect" and it will liberate the key and close Archicad.

Altough I have no idea how the software key works with RAID1 mirror, you'd you consider adding two more drives to mirror windows1 and windows2?

I hope that your AC Rep gets you an hardware key. When you format, or lose a drive you have to fill a form to your AC Rep, saying how did you lost a key. There is also the Emergency License that works for 7 days:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Licensing/Emergency-License-for-Archicad/ta-p/304020

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:28:05 GMT

@fabioverissimoTUU wrote:

However there is a way to make it easier to always "liberate/upload" the key. In the Help menu you click "Disconnect" and it will liberate the key and close Archicad.

I can't launch ArchiCAD or the Help menu if Windows 1 (or ArchiCAD) crashes.

I can't launch ArchiCAD or the Help menu if Windows 1 (or ArchiCAD) crashes.
In such a simple (for me) situation, my Windows 2 and my experience won't help me. I'll have to ask my distributor for a new software key anyway.

But will the distributor provide me with support (a new software key, etc.) if I'm no longer bound by a service contract (or subscription)?

I'll just be a regular ArchiCAD "veteran" with a perpetual license.

I can only guess that the software key can be saved to an image of the operating system partition. Then, you can restore Acronis, etc. But won't the software key be rejected by ArchiCAD (after restoring the operating system from the image)? I don't know. And I can't test this because I currently have a USB key, not a software key.
I don't want to elaborate on this so as not to publicly violate GS licensing rules...
In cases like this, my USB key or cloud key is better—there's no need to experiment in emergencies...

@fabioverissimoTUU wrote:

Altough I have no idea how the software key works with RAID1 mirror, you'd you consider adding two more drives to mirror windows1 and windows2?

This isn't RAID !!! It's just two regular drives with the same partition layout.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

fabioverissimoTUU — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:55:56 GMT

This isn't RAID !!! It's just two regular drives with the same partition layout.

I know it's not raid. in my mind it was adding more drives to windows1 and windows2 to make them raid, mirrored.

Fair points you have there!

Only the emergency license would help you. And the continuous support for an AC veteran with perpetual license it's a fair question.

I'm looking forward to follow your quest and to know how will GS proceed.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:15:49 GMT

I've already responded to the distributor that, unfortunately, I won't be taking advantage of the annual, promotional ArchiCAD 30 subscription, as I won't receive a cloud key at the end of the subscription.

I prefer to stick with the perpetual 29 license and the CodeMeter hardware key, retaining my flexibility and operational freedom.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:56:45 GMT

@gaba wrote:

Barry, I've had a perpetual license with a CodeMeter key for many years.

My perpetual license, along with ArchiCAD29, expires in August 2026.

A perpetual license does not "expire". The license information is digitally stored in the hardware dongle. As long as you have the hardware dongle, when you have the dongle plugged in, you will be able to start Archicad on both Windows instances. When you installed Archicad on both Windows instances, the CodeMeter driver was also installed and it will communicate with the dongle and use the license stored in the dongle. So, there is no expiration.

As far as I know, what may have an expiration date is the SSA/Forward contract, which means that after the expiration date, you will not get the benefits associated with SSA/Forward (e.g., certain services, Add-Ons and functionalities like Library Part Maker, PARAM-O, Redshift, Python Palette etc.).

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:08:58 GMT

Laszlo: Yes, you're right !

Sorry, I misspoke!

Yes, I double-checked, and my annual SSA/Forward contractexpires in July 2026.

Therefore, I won't be eligible for annual updates, etc.

If I remember correctly, a long time ago, new versions of ArchiCAD were released every 1.5-2 years (?).
Then they started being released annually in the summer. (?)
And a few years later, the new version release was postponed until the fall.

Hence my personal disappointment that my update expires in the summer and not the fall of 2026. 😏

Well, that's a pity, someone was born in December and someone else in January and there is a year difference between them. 😎

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

ryejuan — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:57:56 GMT

what i understand with software key it will be downloaded to your system then if you are done using you need to upload back to the cloud so that if you plan to use it in a different system you can easily download it. If for example the system you downloaded the softkey got corrupted you're in no luck to upload it back in the cloud and need to report to Graphisoft the matter so they can issue out a new softkey.

So basically what i understand from your set up is like cloning your other windows to another drive just incase windows 1 fails you have windows 2.

I haven't experimented on this kind of set up though but have you ever given the thought of cloud license instead of softkey?

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Lingwisyer — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:16:28 GMT

They mentioned previously that they do not plan to move to subsciption, so they will not be getting a cloud licence.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

gaba — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:37:50 GMT

exactly as he mentioned: Lingwisyer

They mentioned previously that they do not plan to move to subsciption, so they will not be getting a cloud licence.

Without a subscription, we have a choice: use only a hardware key or switch to a software key (but not a cloud key!).

Of course, once we abandon the hardware key and switch to a software key, we cannot reverse this decision! This means we cannot return to the hardware key.

I understand that Graphisoft's policy is to gradually phase out hardware keys and replace them with software keys. However, I believe this introduces a number of operating system-level restrictions for users like me.

There are also issues with convenient and secure access to Graphisoft servers (in the case of cloud keys), which have raised concerns from users in other threads.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Lingwisyer — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:14:46 GMT

You used to be able to setup hardware keys on a server to be network accessible. I wonder if that is possible with software keys. Would require a second machine though...

Ling.

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

ryejuan — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:35:36 GMT

yeah those where the days!

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

ryejuan — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:46:08 GMT

Hi @gaba ,

Just want to pick your brains regarding the set up why did you eventually decided to do windows 1 & 2? Like what made you decide to go with this configurations? Usually most users will have just back up of the back up of the back up for files, but maybe you have encountered something along the way that made you decide to this kind of set up. I'm just curious. Thanks!

Re: One computer, 2 Windows partitions on separate drives and a software license?

Lingwisyer — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:39:31 GMT

Sounds like a test environment, so that if you brick it, you can just jump over. Much like people will do on VMs, but in this case with the HD too.

See this earlier reply.