Tools

Register the Serv-U MFT license key

This article shows how to register the Serv-U MFT and the Serv-U Gateway license and provides a workaround if the error is "Your registration ID is valid but could not be saved to disk" and invalid registration code.

First published date

10/16/2018 1:59 PM

Last published date

4/8/2026 2:23 PM

Overview

The article provides steps on how to register the Serv-U FTP, MFT, and Gateway license key to activate the product to its full version. Please check the steps below. Also, when activating an existing license key from another server, make sure to stop the service of the old server if it's a single license or no more license seats available to prevent license violation. You cannot activate a single license twice.

There is also a situation where the license from the customer portal does not work, in this case, it needs to be coordinated with the CS team to generate the key.

In version 15.2, there is a change in the licensing framework. The old license key 15.2.2 and below will no longer work on 15.2.3. There will be a new license key provided in the customer portal for this version. If in case, there is no 15.2.3 key, this should be coordinated to the customer service team for a generation.

Product section

Serv-U Managed File Transfer & Serv-U FTP Server

Cause

  • No permission to edit the Serv-UID.txt in the Programdata
  • Wrong version of license key

Resolution

Registering Serv-U MFT/FTP server via Serv-U Management console:

  1. Open the Serv-U Management Console.
  2. Go to Server Details > Click on the License Information tab
  3. Click Enter License ID... image.png
  4. Paste your alphanumeric Registration ID string in the Registration ID field. 

  5. Click Save.

Note: Latest license keys will only work with the latest version 15.5.3.106 onwards. Please make sure you upgrade to the latest version. 

 

Registering Serv-U Gateway

  1. Open the Serv-U Management Console and browse "Server Details | Gateway."
  2. Select an existing Serv-U Gateway entry (or create one if necessary) and ensure it is connected to your Serv-U Gateway.
  3. Click the "Properties..." button to open your existing Serv-U Gateway's "Properties" dialog.
  4. Copy your Serv-U Gateway Registration ID (not your Serv-U Registration ID) into the box, then click "Save."

Notes: The license key is case-sensitive

Registering Serv-U MFT/FTP directly on the  Linux Server (no access to the Serv-U management console): 

1. Stop Serv-U service.
2. Edit the Serv-UID.txt in /usr/local/Serv-U
3. Manually replace the license key then save it.
4. Start Serv-U service.

OR

1. Replace the old Serv-UID.txt file that contains the old license key with the new Serv-UID.txt file that contains the new license key. 

When registering Serv-U and you get this "Your registration ID is valid but could not be saved to disk", please do the following steps.

1. Stop Serv-U service.
2. Edit the Serv-UID.txt in C:\Programdata\Rhinosoft\Serv-U.
3. Manually replace the license key then save it.
4. Start Serv-U service.

Reminder:

If you are on version 15.2.2 and below, you need to upgrade your version to the latest so you can apply the license key in your customer portal. There was a change in the licensing framework which is why we no longer generate old version license keys and this started in version 15.2.3, The upgrade is also recommended because of the vulnerabilities discovered in the previous releases of Serv-U. 

If you have more concerns about the account or the customer portal, you may reach out to our customer service at customerservice@solarwinds.com.