# Installing licences

The following guides cover installing and updating Apteco software licences.

## Pre-installation notes

Before installing a licence, pay attention to the following:

- If you hover over any listed licence, the tooltip displays the licence details.
- If the application server has an outbound internet connection that can reach the [FastStats Licensing Server](<https://licence-service-proxy.licensing.apteco.com/api/health>), you should only need to carry out this manual licence installation process once.
- For any installed or updated licences in the FastStats Configurator, FastStats automatically picks up future modifications to the licence (new bundles/modules, expiry date changes, volume restriction changes). You don't need to make a manual update.
- The **Cache Updated** entry displays the last time the FastStats Service connected to the FastStats Licensing service and validated the licence.
- If an outbound internet connection is available, FastStats checks the licence each time an administrator opens the Licensing option, and when the FastStats Service restarts.
- Select **Online Refresh** to force a connection to the licensing server and update the licence details.

> [!WARNING]
>
> If you are updating a licence with a reduced number of users, reduce the allocations within the FastStats Administrative tools **before** updating the licence.

## Installing a licence on a new system

You can install a licence for the first time either via the `.xml` file or the Licence Key.

> [!NOTE]
>
> If you are installing a licence via the `.xml` file, you must copy the `.xml` file onto the FastStats application server first. For this reason, it's preferable to use the Licence Key when you have one.

To install a licence for the first time:

1. Run the **FastStats Configurator** on the FastStats application server.
2. Select **FastStats Services**.
3. Select **Licensing**.
4. Select **Install**.
5. Choose the relevant **FastStats Service** from the **Service** dropdown.
6. Choose the relevant **System** from the **System** dropdown.
7. To install via a Licence File, select the ellipsis button to the right of the **Licence File** textbox and browse to the `.xml` file.

   To install via a Licence Key, copy the supplied key into the **Licence Key** textbox.
8. Select **Install**.
9. Once the licence appears in the list, select **OK**.

## Installing an updated licence

If Apteco issues an updated licence, for instance after an annual renewal, don't remove your current licence before installing the new one. Use the **Update** licence option instead.

> [!NOTE]
>
> For systems running the Q1 2019 release or later, you can use the **Remove** option to uninstall an existing licence.

To update a licence via a supplied `.xml` file:

1. Log onto the **FastStats** application server which runs the FastStats Services.
2. Run the **FastStats Configurator**.
3. Select **FastStats Services**.
4. Select **Licensing**.
5. Highlight the relevant system name.
6. Select **Update**.
7. Browse to the supplied `.xml` file and select **Open**.
8. The **Updated** date changes to reflect the new licence.
9. Select **OK**.