: If you cannot resolve the key issue immediately, Beyond Compare offers a 30-day free trial period that counts only the days you actually use the program.
If your key was revoked because it belonged to an unauthorized public list, the best path forward is purchasing a legitimate license. Scooter Software offers a perpetual licensing model, meaning you pay once for the major version without recurring subscription fees.
is an open-source differencing and merging tool specifically for Windows. It can compare both folders and files, presenting differences in an easy-to-understand visual format. It's lightweight, portable, and entirely free.
| Software | Platform | Best For | Key Limitation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Windows | File & folder compare | No native 3-way merge; interface is less polished | | Meld | Windows, macOS, Linux | Developers (code diffs) | Slow with very large files (>100MB) | | DiffMerge | Windows, macOS, Linux | Cross-platform folder diff | No SFTP or cloud support | | VS Code | All platforms | Text/code comparison | Requires opening files manually; no folder sync | beyond compare 4 license key has been revoked
Scooter Software, the creators of Beyond Compare, actively monitors and manages its licensing system. When a key is flagged, the software automatically downgrades to evaluation mode or blocks access entirely.
No, updating the software will not resolve this issue. The license revocation is tied to your specific key. Whether you're using version 4.0 or the latest 4.4, a revoked key will remain revoked.
: Using keys found on forums or Gist pages often leads to revocation once the developer flags them. : If you cannot resolve the key issue
Look for a string value related to registration or keys (such as Log or explicit key entries) and delete it. Note: Always back up your registry before making manual modifications. The Risks of Using "Free" Public License Keys
Alternatively, add the following line to your hosts file ( /etc/hosts on Linux/macOS, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows):
: Delete the BC4Key.txt file from %appdata%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 4\ or the program's installation folder. is an open-source differencing and merging tool specifically
Discovering that your Beyond Compare 4 license key has been revoked can immediately disrupt your workflow. Scooter Software, the developer of the popular file and folder comparison tool, strictly enforces licensing policies to combat software piracy and unauthorized distribution.
Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand what triggers this error. Beyond Compare 4 doesn't just check your license key once during installation. that combines: