How to Recover Defective or Lost SIMATIC NET and PCS 7 Licenses Using Automation License Manager and Siemens Customer Support

SIMATIC NET and PCS 7 software licenses cannot be recovered using generic text serial numbers or web activation codes; they exist as encrypted License Keys (.ekb files) managed exclusively by Automation License Manager (ALM). If a license becomes defective due to hard drive corruption or transfer failure, you must document the license details from your physical Certificate of License (CoL) and open an official Siemens Service Request. Siemens Technical Support will verify entitlement and issue a temporary or replacement restoration key that is installed directly through ALM's 'License Key > Restore' function.

Architecture of Siemens Automation License Keys and ALM

In the Siemens SIMATIC ecosystem, software packages such as SIMATIC NET (e.g., SOFTNET-S7, S7-1613, S7-REDCONNECT), STEP 7, WinCC, and PCS 7 are protected by proprietary electronic License Keys. These keys are administered through the Automation License Manager (ALM).

Unlike consumer software that relies on plain-text alphanumeric product activation codes, Siemens License Keys operate as secure, hardware-bound electronic tokens:
* License keys are stored in a hidden, system-protected folder named AX NF ZZ located at the root of a logical drive (e.g., C:\AX NF ZZ).
* Each License Key file contains cryptographic metadata tying the entitlement to specific file system clusters and storage volumes.
* The legal entitlement to use the software is established by the Certificate of License (CoL), a paper document or electronic delivery record (OSD - Online Software Delivery) containing the official License Number, Delivery Note Number, and Product Order Number (MLFB).
* When a License Key appears with a red or yellow warning icon in ALM, the key has been flagged as "defective" or "corrupted" by the ALM integrity checker.

Common Causes of License Corruption and Loss

Engineers encounter defective or missing license conditions primarily due to improper storage maintenance or unexpected hardware faults:
1. Hard Drive Imaging and Cloning: Creating a raw sector image (e.g., with Acronis or Ghost) or restoring an image onto a different physical hard drive invalidates the cluster binding in AX NF ZZ, corrupting the installed License Keys.
2. Aborted Transfer Operations: If an ALM license transfer between a PC station and a USB storage drive is interrupted by a power failure or premature USB disconnection, the key token can become locked in an incomplete state.
3. File System Defragmentation and Disk Utilities: Third-party disk defragmenters or aggressive antivirus cleaners that move or modify files in AX NF ZZ destroy the cryptographic allocation tables.
4. Catastrophic Drive Failure: Physical damage to the hard drive where licenses were stored without prior backup to an external medium.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Restore Defective Licenses via Siemens Support

When an essential license (such as a SIMATIC NET communications license or PCS 7 OS Runtime license) becomes defective, only Siemens Customer Support has the cryptographic authority to generate a replacement or restoration code:

Locate the Certificate of License (CoL):
* Retrieve the physical paper Certificate of License or open the Online Software Delivery (OSD) portal record.
* Document the License Number (e.g., a 10-digit numeric code), the Delivery Note Number, and the exact product MLFB (e.g., 6GK1704-1CW00-0AA0).
Extract ALM Error Information:
* Open Automation License Manager on the affected PC.
* Select the defective license key, right-click, and select Properties.
* Note the License Key Name, Serial Number, and exact status reported by ALM.
Open an Official Siemens Service Request (SR):
* Visit the Siemens Industry Online Support portal (https://support.industry.siemens.com).
* Select mySupport > Requests > Support Request.
* Set the product area to Automation License Manager (ALM) or SIMATIC NET.
* Under Problem Description, specify: Defective License Key requiring Restoration Key.
* Attach a scanned copy or PDF of the Certificate of License (CoL) and a screenshot of the defective license properties in ALM.
Apply the Restoration Code in ALM:
* Siemens Support will review proof of purchase and supply a restoration key code or replacement .ekb license file.
* In ALM, select menu License Key > Restore....
* Enter the restoration code provided by Siemens Support and click Finish.
* ALM will regenerate the valid cryptographic token and clear the defective status flag.

Best Practices for License Backup, Maintenance, and System Imaging

To prevent plant downtime and license loss, automation engineers must follow standardized maintenance protocols:
* Transfer Before Maintenance: Always use ALM to transfer License Keys off the local C: drive onto an official Siemens USB license flash drive before performing operating system upgrades, disk formatting, or system imaging.
* Exclude AX NF ZZ from Antivirus Scanning: Configure your corporate endpoint protection to exclude the hidden AX NF ZZ directory from heuristic scanning and automated quarantine.
* Maintain a Central CoL Archive: Store high-resolution digital scans of all Certificates of License in an engineering documentation repository so proof of entitlement is instantly retrievable during an emergency.
* Online Software Delivery (OSD) Vault: Utilize Siemens OSD accounts to retain digital backups of certificates and electronic delivery notes.

Comparison of Siemens License Types and Recovery Pathways

The table below outlines the primary Siemens license classifications and their corresponding administrative recovery procedures.

License ClassificationDescriptionTypical ProductsRecovery / Restoration PathwaySingle License (Runtime)Grants unlimited runtime execution on one dedicated PC stationWinCC OS RT, SIMATIC NET Softnet/S7Service Request with CoL proof for replacement keyFloating License (Engineering)Can be shared across network or used locally on any workstationSTEP 7 Professional, CFC, SCLRecoverable via ALM network transfer or Siemens SRUpgrade LicenseTransforms an existing older version license into a newer releasePCS 7 V7 to V8 Upgrade, WinCC V7 UpgradeRequires presence of valid precursor license key in ALMTrial / Demo License14-day or 21-day temporary evaluation licenseEngineering bundles, SIMIT trialExpired trial licenses cannot be restored; purchase full licenseRental LicenseTime-limited operational license (e.g., 50 operational hours)Maintenance tools, commissioning packsRefilled via purchasing additional rental units

Verification

To confirm successful restoration of the license key:
1. Open Automation License Manager on the target station.
2. Select drive C: and verify that the restored license key (e.g., SIMATIC NET SOFTNET-S7) is listed with a healthy blue key icon.
3. Check the License Key column: the status must display OK without question marks or exclamation points.
4. Launch the dependent runtime software (e.g., WinCC Runtime or COW.exe for SIMATIC NET). Verify that no licensing warning dialogs or trial expiration banners appear during startup or normal operation.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Siemens Customer Support cannot generate license restoration keys without verifiable proof of purchase (valid Certificate of License or OSD delivery note).
When planning system expansions or purchasing replacement software packages, always validate final license quantities, options, and MLFBs against the applicable Siemens catalog and authorized distributor quotation.
Distinguish between software licensing (ALM), hardware capacity licensing (System Expansion Cards for S7-410), and OS runtime archive licenses; they follow distinct procurement and replacement rules.
Never attempt to edit, copy, or rename .ekb files inside AX NF ZZ using Windows Explorer; direct file manipulation corrupts the license database permanently.

Engineer FAQ

Can Siemens Customer Support provide a license activation code over the phone immediately?

Siemens Support requires submission of an official Service Request with attached proof of entitlement (Certificate of License or Delivery Note). For urgent plant emergencies, support can provide an emergency temporary authorization while the permanent replacement key is processed.

Why did my license become defective after restoring a virtual machine snapshot?

Virtual machine snapshots alter volume serial numbers, cluster allocations, and internal hardware UUIDs. When ALM detects that the underlying hardware signature does not match the encrypted license record in AX NF ZZ, it flags the license as defective to prevent illicit duplication.

What is the difference between an ALM License Key and an authorization code?

Legacy SIMATIC software (pre-2004) used 16-bit floppy-disk 'authorizations'. Modern SIMATIC software uses 32-bit/64-bit 'License Keys' managed exclusively by ALM. Neither system uses manual typed text activation codes.