Deep - Freeze Pending Activation New

Log into the problematic workstation and press the hotkey (usually Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F6) to open the Deep Freeze login dialog.

Do not manually reboot 100 computers. Instead, after pushing the new seed installer to your workstation group:

In a networked environment (e.g., labs or libraries), the Deep Freeze Enterprise Console communicates with workstations via the DFC (Deep Freeze Command) protocol. If a workstation shows "pending activation new," it often means the console has queued an activation command, but the workstation’s Deep Freeze service hasn’t responded due to:

When deploying Deep Freeze to a new machine, never send a "Frozen" command immediately.

If you skip Reboot #1, you will be stuck on "Deep Freeze pending activation new" for hours.

If you provide more context (school PC, personal PC, error dialog box), I can give more specific steps.

Faronics Deep Freeze , a status of "Pending Activation" typically occurs when the software is waiting to authenticate its license key with the Faronics Activation Server. While activation is usually automatic, it can sometimes be delayed or blocked by network configurations. Spiceworks Community Common Causes for "Pending Activation" Scheduled Batching:

Activation requests are often batched and sent on a schedule rather than instantly. It is common for a workstation to remain in a pending state for approximately 15 to 20 minutes after installation before it successfully activates. Pending Windows Updates:

Newer versions of Deep Freeze (v8.23+) include a safety feature that prevents installation or state changes if Windows Updates are pending to avoid boot loops. The console may show a "Finishing Windows Updates" status during this time. Restricted Internet Access: If the machine is on a closed network without access to the Faronics License Activation Server , the activation will remain pending indefinitely. Cloning Issues: If the machine was imaged without setting the Clone Flag

, the unique machine ID might not be correctly recognized, causing activation conflicts. Spiceworks Community How to Resolve Pending Activation Manual Activation via Console:

In the Deep Freeze Enterprise Console, you can force an immediate activation by navigating to and clicking the Activate Now

button. This pushes the request immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled batch. Offline Activation:

For machines without internet access, you can generate an offline activation request file from the console and email it to activation@faronics.com . Once you receive the Activation Response File , apply it via the Manual Activation settings in the console. Check 30-Day Grace Period: Workstations must be activated within

of installation. If this window passes without activation, the machine will no longer be able to enter a

state and will remain "Thawed" until the license is validated. Spiceworks Community Are you managing these workstations through an Enterprise Console or are you dealing with a standalone installation

Welcome to the ‘Smarter’ Windows Updates with Deep Freeze

The subject line "Deep Freeze Pending Activation New" typically indicates that the Faronics Deep Freeze software has been installed but has not yet successfully authenticated its license with the Faronics Activation Server. deep freeze pending activation new

Failure to activate within 30 days will cause the product to expire, preventing the workstation from entering a "Frozen" state and leaving it unprotected. Troubleshooting Activation

If you are seeing this message, you can resolve it through the following methods:

Automatic Activation: Deep Freeze workstations usually attempt to activate automatically if they have an active internet connection or are communicating with a Deep Freeze Enterprise Console. Manual Online Activation: Open the Deep Freeze Enterprise Console. Navigate to Tools > Licensing. Enter your valid license key and click Update License. Select Activate Online to authenticate via the internet.

Manual Offline Activation: If the machine lacks internet access, you can generate an Offline Activation Request File from the Licensing dialog and email it to activation@faronics.com to receive a response file.

Toolbar Icon: In the Enterprise Console, a specific activation icon often appears in the toolbar when workstations have pending activations, allowing you to trigger a bulk activation for all affected machines. Key Considerations for IT Admins

Workstation Communication: Ensure that the workstation is "Reporting" to the console. If it is offline or disconnected, the license key will only update once communication is restored.

Trial Expiration: If you are using the evaluation version, it expires strictly after 30 days. You must enter a purchased license key in the Status tab (Standard) or Licensing dialog (Enterprise) to continue service.

Windows Licensing Conflicts: If you use KMS licensing for Windows, ensure you schedule regular "Thawed" periods. Otherwise, the Windows activation itself may fail because Deep Freeze might prevent the periodic re-validation required by KMS. Perspectives on Deep Freeze

“Deepfreeze is awesome for public/school computers! I have been using it for several years without any hitches.” Neowin · 21 years ago

“If you have the console installed, you can remotely thaw/freeze workstations with a click of the mouse. It kicks @SS!” Neowin · 21 years ago Manual Activation - Faronics

In Faronics Deep Freeze, a "Pending Activation" status typically appears when a new workstation installation is waiting to verify its license key with the Faronics activation server. This is a standard part of the deployment process but can occasionally cause workflow delays if the automated batch activation hasn't triggered yet. Why Activations Show as "Pending"

Batch Scheduling: Activation requests are often batched and sent on a scheduled basis (roughly every 15 minutes).

Connectivity Issues: The workstation cannot reach the Faronics License Activation Server due to internet or firewall restrictions.

Offline Status: If a machine is shut down or disconnected from the network, its license key will remain pending until it next communicates with the Enterprise Console. How to Resolve Pending Status 1. Manual Online Activation

If you cannot wait for the automated batch, you can force the activation: Open the Deep Freeze Enterprise Console.

Look for the Activation Icon (yellow key/star) in the toolbar. Log into the problematic workstation and press the

Click the drop-down and select Activate All Workstations Online.

Alternatively, go to Tools > Licensing and click Activate Now. 2. Offline Activation (No Internet)

If the machines are on a restricted network, use the Manual Activation method:

Create an Offline Activation Request File (.bin) from the console. Email the file to activation@faronics.com.

Once you receive the Activation Response File, apply it via the console to update all pending licenses. 3. Verify Customization Code

If activation fails repeatedly, ensure your Customization Code matches across your console and workstation installers. An incorrect code can prevent the console from correctly managing or activating workstations.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the command line tool DFC.EXE with the parameter /ACTIVATION to check the current status on a specific machine. A return value of 0 confirms the state is "Pending activation".

If you'd like to troubleshoot a specific error code or need the exact firewall ports for Faronics servers, let me know! DeepFreeze thaws after 30 days of being off Internet

Understanding "Pending Activation" in Faronics Deep Freeze If you have ever deployed Faronics Deep Freeze

and seen the status "Deep Freeze Pending Activation New" in your console, you are not alone. This status can be a source of confusion for IT administrators, but it is actually a standard part of the software's license verification process. What Does "Pending Activation" Mean? Deep Freeze Enterprise User Guide , "Pending Activation" (represented by return code

) indicates that the workstation has been assigned a license key but has not yet successfully checked in with the Faronics License Activation Server

Essentially, your workstation is in a "grace period." It is fully functional, but it needs to verify its license over the internet or through the Enterprise Console to transition to an "Active" status. Why is My Machine Stuck in Pending?

There are several common reasons why a machine might stay in this state: Batching Delays:

According to Faronics support, activation requests are often batched and sent on a schedule (roughly every 15 minutes). Network Barriers: The workstation may be unable to reach the Faronics Activation Server due to a firewall or lack of internet access. Offline Status:

If the computer is shut down or disconnected from the network, the license key cannot be updated. Frozen State:

While Deep Freeze can typically activate while frozen, certain network configurations may require the machine to be to finalize specific license handshake communications. How to Resolve It If you skip Reboot #1, you will be

If you need to move a machine out of "Pending Activation" immediately, follow these steps: Force Manual Activation: Deep Freeze Enterprise Console , navigate to Tools > Licensing . Select the pending machines and click Activate Now Check Internet Connectivity:

Ensure the workstation can communicate with the internet. If you are in an air-gapped environment, you must use the Offline Activation

method by generating an Offline Activation Request File and emailing it to activation@faronics.com Verify the License Key:

Confirm that you haven't exceeded your seat count. If the key is invalid or expired, the status will remain pending or move to an error state. Important Note: The 30-Day Window

Don't ignore this status for too long. If a workstation fails to activate within

of installation, it will stop functioning or may even automatically "Thaw," leaving the machine unprotected. If you're still seeing issues, we recommend checking the Faronics Release Notes for the latest compatibility fixes or reaching out to Faronics Support If you'd like, I can: email to Faronics Support regarding a stuck activation Explain how to set up Offline Activation for air-gapped labs Help you troubleshoot Deep Freeze Cloud specifically Let me know how you'd like to finalize your post DeepFreeze thaws after 30 days of being off Internet

When your Deep Freeze status shows "Pending Activation," it typically means the workstation has checked into the console but hasn't completed its licensing handshake with the Faronics servers. This is normal for new installations as activation requests are often batched and can take up to 15 minutes to process automatically. Spiceworks Community Immediate Activation Guide

If you don't want to wait for the automatic cycle, you can force the activation manually through the Enterprise Console Open Licensing Tools : In the Deep Freeze Enterprise Console, go to the menu and select Manual Trigger : Click the "Activate Now"

button. This will immediately process any workstations currently in the "Pending" state. Alternative Icon Method

: If an activation icon appears in your toolbar, click the drop-down and select "Activate All Workstations Online" Spiceworks Community Troubleshooting Connectivity If the status remains "Pending" after a manual attempt: Check Internet Access

: The workstation must be connected to the internet to reach the Faronics License Activation Server for online activation. Frozen State Issues

: If a machine is stuck in a loop or failing to activate, you may need to

the workstation (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F6) before attempting to re-activate or update settings. Manual/Offline Activation : If the machine cannot reach the internet, select "Activate Offline" in the activation options. You will need to create an Offline Activation Request File , email it to activation@faronics.com , and apply the response file you receive. Summary of Statuses Pending Activation

Workstation is recognized but licensing is not yet verified. System is protected; changes will be lost on restart. System is unprotected; changes will be saved permanently. Thawed & Locked

System is thawed, but user input (keyboard/mouse) is disabled. For detailed steps on initial setup, refer to the Deep Freeze Enterprise Guide Standard User Manual Are you managing a single machine large network through the Enterprise Console? Deep Freeze Standard User Guide - Faronics

Here’s a write-up you can use for documentation, a support ticket, or a system status report regarding “Deep Freeze pending activation new”: