If you received a revoked key from a third party, uninstall Beyond Compare, remove any leftover license files, and either buy a legitimate license or switch to a free diff tool. The time lost hunting for working keys almost always exceeds the cost of a proper license.
A "license key has been revoked" error in Beyond Compare 4 typically occurs because the key was leaked to the internet or flagged as a pirated key.
If you are seeing this message, it is usually because the software's verification system has identified the specific key as being used by unauthorized users globally. Why This Happens
Key Leaking: If a purchased license key is shared publicly on forums or GitHub, Scooter Software may revoke it to prevent unauthorized use.
Version Mismatch: While minor updates (e.g., 4.1 to 4.3) are free, major upgrades (e.g., version 4 to version 5) require a new key. Using an old key on a newer major version can sometimes trigger errors.
Pirated Software: If you downloaded a "free" version from a third-party site, the included key may have already been blacklisted by the developer. How to Resolve It
Contact Support: If you are a legitimate owner and believe your key was revoked in error, email support@scootersoftware.com with your original order email or serial number to request a replacement.
Purchase a Legitimate License: Beyond Compare is a one-time purchase with no annual fees. You can buy a Standard Edition for $35 or a Pro Edition for $70 at the Beyond Compare Shop. beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked free
Evaluate for Free: If you need to use the software temporarily, you can use the 30-day fully functional trial to evaluate the product before buying. Summary of Pricing (Current as of April 2026) License Type Quantity 1 - 4 Major Upgrade Standard Edition $35 / user ~Half Price Pro Edition $70 / user ~Half Price
Do you have your original order number or serial number to help support verify your purchase? Buy Beyond Compare
A "revoked" license key error in Beyond Compare 4 typically occurs when a key has been leaked to the internet or shared publicly. Once a key is identified as pirated or compromised, Scooter Software revokes it to prevent unauthorized use. Primary Reasons for Revocation
Key Leaks: If a legitimate key is found on public forums or "free key" websites, it is added to a revocation list in subsequent software updates.
Version Mismatch: While not strictly "revoked," using a major version key (e.g., version 3) for a newer major version (e.g., version 4 or 5) will result in an error.
Policy Violations: Use of the software beyond the 30-day trial without a valid purchase is a violation of copyright laws. How to Resolve the Error
If you are a legitimate license holder and receiving this message: If you received a revoked key from a
Verify Your Key: Ensure you are using the full key text from --BEGIN LICENSE KEY-- to --END LICENSE KEY--.
Contact Support: Email Scooter Software Support with your serial number or order email to recover your official key.
Clear Local Data: If you accidentally used a pirated key and want to enter a legitimate one, you may need to delete the local license file (BC4Key.txt) to reset the registration dialog.
Windows: %appdata%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\BC4Key.txt. Linux: /etc/BC4Key.txt. Legitimate Free Use Buy Beyond Compare
Beyond Compare may be evaluated for free, but a license must be purchased for continued use. Beyond Compare Howto remove License - Scooter Forums - Beyond Compare
A "revoked" license message in Beyond Compare 4 typically occurs if a key has been leaked publicly pirated key
If you are seeing this error, you can resolve it by purging the invalid registration and reverting to a trial or re-entering a genuine key. How to Fix "License Key Revoked" Error When such a key is detected, the company revokes it remotely
To fix this, you must manually delete the cached license file so the software "forgets" the revoked key. Delete the License File %AppData%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\ and delete the BC4Key.txt : Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare/ and delete BC4Key.txt ~/.config/bcompare/ and delete BC4Key.txt Clear the Registry (Windows only) Registry Editor Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4 Delete the Restart the Software Beyond Compare will now open in Evaluation Mode If you have a genuine key, go to Help > Enter Key and paste the entire block including the Why Keys Get Revoked Public Leaks
: If a genuine key is posted on forums or Gists, the developer ( Scooter Software ) may blacklist it. Version Mismatch
: While keys work for all minor updates (e.g., 4.1 to 4.4), they may not work across major versions (e.g., a BC3 key won't work in BC4). Trial Resets : Users sometimes use scripts to delete the to reset the 30-day evaluation period indefinitely. Beyond Compare 4 Trial Reset - GitHub Gist
Beyond Compare 4 is a popular software tool used for comparing and synchronizing files and folders. It's widely used by developers, IT professionals, and anyone who needs to manage and compare files and directories. However, obtaining a license key through unauthorized means, such as seeking a "free" or "revoked" license key, is not recommended as it can lead to legal and security issues.
Scooter Software actively monitors for license keys that are:
When such a key is detected, the company revokes it remotely. The next time Beyond Compare checks for updates or validation, the software reverts to an unlicensed state.
To understand why keys are being revoked, it is necessary to understand how the software is licensed. Scooter Software (the developers of Beyond Compare) sells different types of licenses:
Several years ago, a specific Volume License Key (VLK) intended for a large organization was leaked online. This key was shared widely on "warez" sites, forums, and GitHub repositories as a "free" way to unlock the full Professional Edition of Beyond Compare 4.