FWIW, I think most software now installs on a new machine without too much trouble, but of course there are exceptions that show that's not a perfect statement.

PGM allows activation on three machines and you should deactivate an old license to activate on another machine. That's plenty for most, though I shot myself in the foot by replacing an activation without realising I was to do that. PGM were able to sort me out.

Pianoteq has three licenses, but they can be managed online if necessary.

All of the other music-related stuff I have has just installed and activated OK, including the various packages I have of this machine (Linux or Windows depending on what is my main task today). I presume they have some online verification at activation that allows them to spot gross abusers.

Software producers tend to use all sorts of thing from within the machine environment to verify ... host-name, CPU I/D, hard drive ID, LAN IP address, Ethernet MAC address and so on. I suspect they check that several match up to a maximum number of machines, before bouncing an activation. I also think they try to make that fairly user-friendly to avoid lots of "my software won't work" support calls. Of course none of that guarantees universal success.

Personally I tend to install on a new machine afresh and deal with issues if or when they arise. That means I install a new OS and avoid any legacy dirt, but it also means more work. YMMV.

Edit: All my music software is quite recent.

Last edited by Gordon Scott; 04/21/22 06:55 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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