Jetbrains-reset-trial
If none of the above work for you, consider switching to Visual Studio Code. While not a JetBrains product, Code:
Many developers use VS Code professionally and never pay for an IDE.
Attackers love targeting developers because developers have high-value access (SSH keys, cloud credentials, database passwords). A "resetter" requires you to run a script with administrator privileges or add a -javaagent argument to your IDE. This is the perfect vector for injecting malware.
Developers build JetBrains tools. Hundreds of engineers, designers, and support staff rely on the revenue from subscriptions. If every developer used a trial reset, JetBrains would cease to exist. By paying for software, you support:
For educational purposes only, let's briefly examine the technical mechanism behind a typical trial reset. Understanding this sheds light on why JetBrains has increasingly hardened its licensing system.
(If you want, I can draft a short blog/social post warning against trial-resetting and suggesting alternatives.)
Resetting a JetBrains trial generally involves clearing specific local configuration files that store evaluation metadata
. While manual methods exist, many users utilize scripts found on platforms like to automate the process for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Manual Reset Steps (Windows)
If you prefer to perform the reset manually, follow these steps frequently cited by the developer community on GitHub Gists JetBrains IDE trial reset windows - GitHub Gist
These tools typically automate the removal of local "fingerprints" that the IDE uses to track trial usage. The main "features" of such scripts usually include:
Registry & File Cleanup: Deleting specific configuration files (e.g., other.xml) and registry keys that store the trial start date.
User ID Modification: Changing the PermanentUserId file in the application data folder to trick the system into recognizing a "new" user.
Evaluation Key Removal: Searching for and removing "evlsprt" (evaluation support) properties within the IDE's internal XML options.
Scheduled Automation: Some versions on GitHub include features like launchd agents or Windows Task Scheduler jobs to automatically reset the trial on the first day of every month.
Preference Cache Flushing: Killing background processes like cfprefsd (on macOS) to ensure deleted settings aren't immediately restored from memory. GitHub - MLeft/jetbrains-reset-trial-evaluation-mac
Every first day of each month the job will: * Close all Intellij applications. * Reset evaluation. * Flush preference cache. GitHub - garyjuano/jetbrains-reset-trial-evaluation-mac
Resetting JetBrains Trial Period: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you tired of seeing the "Trial expired" message on your favorite JetBrains IDE? Do you want to regain access to all the features without having to purchase a license? Look no further! In this post, we'll explore the process of resetting the JetBrains trial period. jetbrains-reset-trial
What is JetBrains and why do they have a trial period?
JetBrains is a popular software development company that offers a range of integrated development environments (IDEs) for various programming languages, including IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, and more. To allow users to test their products, JetBrains provides a free trial period, usually lasting 30 days. After the trial period expires, users are required to purchase a license to continue using the IDE.
Why reset the trial period?
There are a few scenarios where resetting the trial period might be useful:
The Simple Method: Resetting the Trial Period using the JetBrains Toolbox App
If you've installed the JetBrains Toolbox App, you can reset the trial period with a few clicks. Here's how:
The Manual Method: Editing the license File
If you don't have the JetBrains Toolbox App or prefer a more manual approach, you can reset the trial period by editing the license file. Here's how:
**The "license" file is usually located in: **
Important note: Be aware that resetting the trial period is against JetBrains' terms of service. This method is for educational purposes only.
By following these steps, you should be able to reset the JetBrains trial period and continue using your favorite IDE. Keep in mind that purchasing a license is always the recommended option, as it supports the development of high-quality software and ensures you have access to the latest features and updates.
Other Options
If resetting the trial period isn't an option for you, consider the following alternatives:
JetBrains trial reset refers to various community-developed scripts and manual procedures designed to bypass the 30-day evaluation limit for JetBrains IDEs (like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, or WebStorm). These methods typically work by deleting local tracking files and registry entries that the software uses to identify a machine's trial status. How Trial Reset Tools Function
Automated tools and manual scripts generally target the following components to trick the IDE into treating the machine as a "new" user:
Evaluation Keys: Deleting eval folders containing *.key files found in the IDE's configuration directory.
Persistent Identifiers: Removing or modifying files like PermanentUserId and PermanentDeviceId located in the user's AppData/Roaming/JetBrains (Windows) or equivalent config folders on macOS/Linux. Registry/Preference Entries: If none of the above work for you,
Windows: Deleting keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JavaSoft\Prefs\JetBrains.
Linux/macOS: Cleaning ~/.java/.userPrefs/jetbrains/prefs.xml.
Configuration Files: Deleting or editing other.xml (specifically entries starting with evlsprt) to remove trial state data. Platform-Specific Implementations
Different tools exist across platforms, often shared via GitHub Gist or specialized repositories: JetBrains IDE trial reset windows - GitHub Gist
as potentially malicious. Running unverified scripts locally poses a risk to your system's integrity. Legal and Ethical Implications
: JetBrains considers these tools a circumvention of technical protection measures. Using them violates the JetBrains User Agreement Technical Instability
: These tools often work by deleting local configuration files or modifying registry keys (e.g., PermanentUserId
). This can lead to lost IDE settings, corrupted caches, or the IDE failing to start. Legitimate Alternatives
Instead of using trial reset scripts, JetBrains offers several Free Access Programs Students and Teachers : You can apply for a free Educational License if you are at an accredited institution. Open Source Projects : Non-commercial open-source projects can apply for free licenses Early Access Program (EAP)
: You can use upcoming versions of JetBrains tools for free via the , though these versions are less stable. Community Editions
: Tools like IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm have free, open-source Community Editions that do not require a trial reset. Official Reset Options
If you simply need to reset your IDE to a clean state because of technical issues, use the official built-in features rather than external scripts: Restore Default Settings File | Manage IDE Settings | Restore Default Settings Reset Layout Window | Layouts | Default to fix UI issues. features or how to apply for an educational license GitHub - MLeft/jetbrains-reset-trial-evaluation-mac
Every first day of each month the job will: * Close all Intellij applications. * Reset evaluation. * Flush preference cache. GitHub - garyjuano/jetbrains-reset-trial-evaluation-mac
JetBrains IDEs store evaluation information in two places:
The evaluation folder contains a file with a cryptographically signed token containing:
While the temptation to get free access to a $200–$500 per year tool is understandable, using a jetbrains-reset-trial tool comes with real consequences.
The keyword jetbrains-reset-trial continues to attract thousands of searches each month. It represents a desire for high-quality development tools without financial strain. However, the reality is that using a trial reset tool in 2026 is: Many developers use VS Code professionally and never
JetBrains is not an oppressive corporation; they actively support students, teachers, and open-source developers with free licenses. For hobbyists who do not qualify, the Community Editions and EAP builds provide a full-featured, legal, and safe experience.
Before you download that suspicious eval-reset.bat script or ja-netfilter.zip from a random Telegram channel, ask yourself: Is saving $8 a month (the prorated cost of an IDE subscription) worth compromising my entire development environment and potentially my career?
The answer is almost certainly no.
Embrace the free, legal paths. Your future self—and your code—will thank you.
Further Reading & Resources:
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Circumventing software licensing is against the terms of service of JetBrains and may be illegal in your jurisdiction. The author does not endorse the use of trial reset tools.
Resetting a JetBrains trial typically involves removing specific local tracking files and registry entries that the software uses to identify evaluation periods. While various community-developed scripts and manual methods exist, it is important to note that these actions often violate the software's Terms of Service. Manual Reset Methods
The following steps are commonly used to manually clear trial data across different operating systems: Windows
Navigate to %APPDATA%\JetBrains\ and remove files named PermanentUserId and PermanentDeviceId.
Delete the directory %APPDATA%\JetBrains\.
Open %APPDATA%\JetBrains\ and remove any lines containing evlsprt or trial.state.
Remove registry keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JavaSoft\Prefs\jetbrains. macOS / Linux
Delete the evaluation folder located at ~/.config/JetBrains/.
Edit ~/.config/JetBrains/ to remove the evlsprt and trial.state properties.
Remove Java user preferences by deleting the directory ~/.java/.userPrefs/jetbrains.
For macOS users, a common command is rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/JetBrains/. Legitimate Alternatives
JetBrains offers several ways to use their software legally without a standard commercial license: GitHub - MLeft/jetbrains-reset-trial-evaluation-mac