Prepraring for Windows 11 Upgrade

Microsoft has announced the beginning of the automatic and free update roll-out for Windows 11, starting October 5, 2021 to eligible Windows 10 PCs.

We have tested our software_DNA Windows Libraries while updating from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and while running on Windows 11 (pre-release).

For Applications using Version 6.00 of the DNA Library , no action is required, and software_DNA is not impacted by the update.

For Applications using Version 5.02 or earlier of the DNA Library, as with all Windows updates, the update may impact the <MachineID> anonymous hash used by software_DNA when locking the License to the User’s computer. This will trigger a re-activation of the User’s application protected by software_DNA the first time it is run following the update.

We do recommend that Applications be updated to use the Version 6.00 of the Windows DNA Library to avoid this possible re-activation during a Windows update. See our Documentation on V6.00 for details.

Fortunately, a Re-activation is a straightforward and short process which only requires that the user re-submit their License Activation Code, their Current License Code Password, and a "New and Never Used Password" (for Single-User licenses with Roll-Over Re-activation).

To faciliate the process, the License Manager can be used if the User has forgotten their License Activation Code and/or their current License Code Password. In the License Manager, the User can enter their email address (used during activation) and they will receive via email, their License Activation Code and current License Code Password, or if they know their License Activation Code, they can ask for the Password to be resent to them. You can also resend their Password from the DNA Control Panel.

Recommendation for communication to End-Users:

• We recommend that you add an FAQ item on your web site to specifically address a question on "Windows 10 and Windows 11 upgrades / updates"
• We recommend in this FAQ, that you instruct your users if they have forgotten the License Code and/or Password, on how to access the License Manager to recover their License Code and Password for the re-activation.
• We recommend that you enable the "License Manager - SU Access" option in your Product Configuration to enable Single-User license owners to access the License Manager.

If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Support

Windows 10 Creator Upgrade triggers a re-activation

The major Windows10 Creator Update that is currently being rolled out by Microsoft via their automated Windows Update process, may impact the <MachineID> anonymous hash used by software_DNA when locking the License to the User’s computer. This will trigger a re-activation of the User’s application protected by software_DNA the first time it is run under Windows 10 Creator.

A Re-activation is actually a straightforward and short process which only requires that the user re-submit their License Activation Code, their Current License Code Password, and a "New and Never Used Password" (for Single-User licenses with Roll-Over Re-activation).

To faciliate the process, the License Manager can be used if the User has forgotten their License Activation Code and/or their current License Code Password. In the License Manager, the User can enter their email address (used during activation) and they will receive via email, their License Activation Code and current License Code Password, or if they know their License Activation Code, they can ask for the Password to be resent to them. You can also resend their Password from the DNA Control Panel.

Recommendation for communication to End-Users:

• We recommend that you add an FAQ item on your web site to specifically address a question on "Windows 10 Creator Upgrade"

• We recommend in this FAQ, that you instruct your users if they have forgotten the License Code and/or Password, on how to access the License Manager to recover their License Code and Password for the re-activation.

• We recommend that you enable the License Manasger - SU Access option in your Product Configuration to enable Single-User license owners to access the License Manager.

• For more information on the Portal, see License Manager  

If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Support

C# 64-bit Fix

We have updated the C# DNA_INT.cs file to fix an issue when using PARAM() or ERROR() API calls in C# in a 64-bit application.

You can download the latest DNA_INT.cs file for your OS by downloading the latest DNA Library ZIP Package from the DNA Control Panel. Note that the DNA Library itself (Version 5.02) has not changed.

Custom Field Enhancements

The Custom Fields (INFOTAG and LICENSE_DATA) stored in the CDM License file have been enhanced as follows:

• INFOTAG (500 chars) is now stored in the CDM License file if you have enabled the Custom Field Option for your Product in the DNA Control Panel.
• LICENSE_DATA has been increased from 100 chars to 1,024 chars

To use these larger fields, the DNA_PARAM() Buffer size must be increased from 256 to the new reommended value of 2048 bytes as follows:

• For VB.NET and C#, change the size of the buffer in the DNA_INT file in the Helper Functions, or download the latest DNA_INT files included in the DNA Library ZIP Packages from the DNA Control Panel.
• For other languages, ensure you change the buffer size in your application's code

Contact Technical Support if you have any questions on the above.

KAGI eCommerce solution ceases operations

On August 1st, KAGI, one of the eCommerce solutions supported by software_DNA, unfortunately announced that it is ceasing operations immediately.

If you were using KAGI as an eCommerce solution for your products, , please see our recommendations below and do not hesitate to contact us for any assistance that we can provide during your transition to a new eCommerce solution.

For continued License Fulfillment

If you did not have other eCommerce solutions active in addition to KAGI, we recommend the following:

1. During the transition to a new eCommerce solution, you can generate License Codes from the DNA Control Panel and distribute these manually to your new customers via email
2. in setting up a new eCommerce solution:
   • please consult our list of supported eCommerce Partners here: eCommerce Connectors  
   • contact our Tech Support for any questions and help to quickly turn up the Connector to a new eCommerce solution

For software_DNA Activation Fee Billings

• As of August 1st, Activation Fees related to KAGI transactions going forward (if any), will be billed to your software_DNA account versus being billed via KAGI
• Invoices for July 2016 will be issued as usual the first week of August
• We are in communication with KAGI and will be reconciling the billings as they make the last data files available for the month of July 2016. Any adjustments, if required, will be communicated to you and would be expected to appear in the August invoice (issued early September).

Let us know how we can be of help during this transition.

Windows 10 Upgrade triggers a re-activation

After an upgrade to Windows 10, the <MachineID> of the User’s computer will change, and this will trigger a re-activation of the User’s application protected by software_DNA the first time it is run under Windows 10.

A Re-activation is actually a straightforward and short process which only requires that the user re-submit their License Activation Code, their Current License Code Password, and a "New and Never Used Password" (for Single-User licenses).

The License Manager can be used if the User has forgotten their License Activation Code and/or their current License Code Password. In the License Manager, the User can enter their email address (used during activation) and they will receive via email, their License Activation Code and current License Code Password, or if they know their License Activation Code, they can ask for the Password to be resent to them.

Recommendation for communication to End-Users:

• We recommend that you add an FAQ item on your web site to specifically address a question on "Windows 10 Upgrade"

• We recommend in this FAQ, that you instruct your users if they have forgotten the License Code and/or Password, on how to access the License Manager to recover their License Code and Password for the re-activation.

• We recommend that you enable the License Manager - SU Access option in your Product Configuration to enable Single-User license owners to access the License Manager.

• For more information on the Portal, see License Manager.

If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Support