Licensing Old .NET Framework Applications

This topic applies to licensing .NET Framework 2.0 - 4.0 WinForms applications, .NET 3.5 - 4.0 WPF applications, and ComponentOne .NET 4.5.2 versions prior to 2020 v2. For .NET Framework 4.5.2+ see Licensing .NET Framework Applications.

Each developer or build machine needs an activated product serial key to build the project and properly license the application. To activate a serial key, see Licensing Old Products with a New Serial Key.

.Once you activate a serial key, most of the licensing process is handled automatically. Use the information below to better understand how the licensing works to help troubleshoot issues.

Generating the Design-Time License File

ComponentOne .NET Framework controls support the standard licenses.licx file approach supported by the Microsoft .NET LicenseProvider. When you add a .NET Framework control to the Visual Studio designer surface, a design-time licenses.licx file is generated for the project. This file includes version information and must remain updated to reflect the version referenced in the application.

Manually Generate the Design-Time License File

You can create the licenses.licx file manually if controls are added through code or XAML. For detailed steps, see Generate licenses.licx File Manually.

Update the Design-Time License File

Use the MESCIUS Visual Studio extension to populate or update the licenses.licx file. Select Tools > MESCIUS > Update Projects.

Then your app can build and license the ComponentOne controls successfully. If you continue to see an unlicensed nag screen, see Troubleshooting Old Licensing topics.