Frequently Asked Questions

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Installation

  • You can trigger a silent installation of CodeMeter using the command line parameter "/ComponentArgs "*":"/qn".
    example command line:
    CodeMeterRuntime.exe /ComponentArgs "*":"/qn"

    Note:
    If the CodeMeter installation is executed using the PowerShell, double quotation marks must be used for the arguments:
    e.g: CodeMeterRuntime.exe /ComponentArgs ""*""":""/qn"""

    Additionally calling
    CodeMeterRuntime.exe /ComponentArgs "*":"/qn /norestart"
    prevents an automatic reboot of the system. Please note that you will then need to manually reboot to complete the installation.

    If you use CodeMeterRuntime32|64.msi directly, you can omit the specification of ComponentArgs and specify the parameters directly. It is recommended to always write a log file, which you can specify with /L*V <log file> e.g: CodeMeterRuntime64.msi /qn /norestart /L*V CodeMeterRuntime64msi.log

    Further examples and help can also be found in the CodeMeter Developer Guide in the section "Deployment options | Delivery for Windows operating systems | Customization option for installation packages".
  • The reason for this could be that CodeMeter Control Center is stored several times in the Autostart folder: once in the Autostart folder for all users and once for the current user. This can happen, if the CodeMeter Installer has been installed once for the current user and once for all users.

    On first start, CodeMeter Control Center is stored in the Windows Systray. The next time you start CodeMeter, it will be minimized and displayed.
    Therefore, the simple solution is to remove the link to CodeMeter Control Center from the Autostart folder once.

    For Windows 10 please proceed as follows:
    1. Press the key combination [Windows key] + [R] and type "shell:startup" into the open line.
    2. A Windows Explorer window will open with the subfolder "AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Autostart". This is the autostart folder of the currently logged in user.
    3. If you want to delete the entry, click on it with the right mouse button and select "Delete" in the context menu.

    For earlier Windows versions, select the Autostart folder from the Start menu and right-click '(All) user' to open it. You will then see the respective entries in the Windows Explorer window that appears. Here you can select and delete the CodeMeter Control Center entry to be deleted.
  • InstallShield Professional returns an error, if the CodeMeter Runtime Merge Module x86 is added and a 32 bit setup is to be created.
    Background is that the 'CodeMeter.exe' is available as 32 bit only but the 'WibuCm.dll' is available as 32 bit and 64 bit partly using the same keys.
    All keys used are saved in the registry as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WIBU-SYSTEMS\CodeMeter. This for 32 bit and 64 bit operating systems.

    Apparently, in Install Shield Professional this leads to the fact that the CodeMeter Merge Module x86 is nevertheless recognized as 64 bit component and a 32 bit setup is refused. Install Shield returns error "-5008".

    So far, we do not know of any option, to deactivate this check performed by InstallShield or to successfully finalize the installation.

    Wibu-Systems recommends to forgo the Merge Module and instead to install 'CodeMeterRuntime.exe' or 'CodeMeterRuntime.msi'.
    Installing CodeMeterRuntime.exe|.msi can be performed in the InstallShield project, for example, using a "Custom Action" or a "Prerequisite".

    Other installer (Visual Studio, Wix) seem to skip such a check, allowing the use of CodeMeter Merge Module.
    In some cases, however, an ICE error occurs which on compile can be repressed.
  • The minimum requirement for deploying your protected software is the CodeMeter Runtime License Server.
    Wibu-Systems recommends the installation of the existing installation packages for different operating systems.
    As a software manufacturer, you are entitled to pass these complete packages on to your end customers free of charge.
    Alternatively, your customers can download the packages directly from the user area of the Wibu-Systems website (https://www.wibu.com/support/user/downloads-user-software.html) free of charge, without password and without obligation to register for the installation.

    The following installation packages are available for non-Windows operating systems:
    Linux
    RPM packages, e.g. SuSe, Red Hat, etc.
    - CodeMeter Runtime 64-Bit - for PC on AMD64 basis
    - AxProtector/Java Runtime - Java applications protected for AxProtector
    - CodeMeter Runtime - contains all required files for the end user.
    - CodeMeter Lite - driver installer for systems without GUI

    DEB packages, e.g. for Debian, Ubuntu, etc.
    - CodeMeter Runtime 64-Bit - for PC on AMD64 basis
    - AxProtector/Java Runtime - Java applications protected for AxProtector
    - CodeMeter Runtime - contains all required files for the end user.
    - CodeMeter Lite - driver installer for systems without GUI
  • In the CmDust log file the entry "Run as system service: no" informs that the CodeMeter service is not registered with the operating system with administrative privileges.
    This means the CodeMeter service (CodeMeter.exe) runs not as user "SYSTEM" but only with local user privileges. This may involve problems with the communication or with reading licenses.

    That the CodeMeter service has only local user privileges can be seen in the CmDust log file with the following entry: "Currently running CodeMeter () started from C:\Program Files (x86)\CodeMeter\Runtime\bin\CodeMeter.exe"

    A solution to this problem for your customer is to re-register the CodeMeter service with the system and thus check for errors on installing the CodeMeter runtime.
    For re-register please proceed as follows:

    1. Open CodeMeter Command Prompt via "Start | All Programms | CodeMeter | Tools | CodeMeter Command Prompt" (alternatively click on Windows symbol and typing 'CodeMeter Command Prompt')
    2. Execute the command: "CodeMeter.exe /u" to delete registering the CodeMeter service with the system
    3. Execute the command: "CodeMeter.exe /i" to register the CodeMeter service with the system

    After this process has been performed using the Task Manager it can be checked whether the CodeMeter service (CodeMeter.exe) runs with user SYSTEM.
  • CodeMeter WebAdmin exists since CodeMeter v6.60 as an independent 32-bit and 64-bit Windows service (CmWebAdmin). On a 64-bit system, the 32-bit variant is not installed, only the 64-bit variant is installed here.

    To install the 64-bit version of CodeMeter WebAdmin, the CmRuntimeMerger64.msm module containing the 64-bit CmWebAdmin.exe must be included as well.
    Using CmRuntimeMerger.msm installs CmWebAdmin.exe only on 32-bit systems.
    If you want to have CodeMeter WebAdmin on a 64-bit system you have to use the modules CmRuntimeMerger.msm and CmRuntimeMerger64.msm.

    Note:
    As an alternative to using the merge modules, we recommend to use the CodeMeterRuntime.exe or the CodeMeterRuntime[32|64].msi installer package.
  • When using the CodeMeter Merge Modules in a WiX setup, it is necessary and recommended to suppress the following ICE errors when compiling: ICE03;ICE80;ICE82;ICE30

    You can specify them in your Visual Studio project at "Properties | Tool Settings | Suppress specific ICE validation".


    Please also note that Wibu-Systems recommends the use of our EXE/MSI installers instead of the Merge Modules.
  • On installing/uninstalling it may happen that the user is prompted to specify a MSI file.

    A MSI file (Microsoft Installation) holds a setup package and is commonly saved and provided in "C:\Windows\Installer". The directory "C:\Windows\Installer“ holds all software package installed via MSI. If via MSI a software is to be uninstalled, the respective MSI package is sought for in this directory and the uninstalling or updating process is performed.

    A Windows Microsoft compliant behavior of installation packages may be impaired, if on the respective computer a "cleaning tool" has been used which tweaks the directory to save space on the computer. However, this may interfere with installing/uninstalling routines.

    To remedy this error and to install/uninstall CodeMeter, the customer must use the exact same version of the MSI installer for the CodeMeter Runtime Software as used for the previous installation.
  • The CodeMeter settings in the Windows registry are retained by default when uninstalling the CodeMeter Runtime under Windows.
    The reason for this is that often only a newer CodeMeter software version is to be installed and the previous CodeMeter software is uninstalled first. Here it would be annoying if all CodeMeter settings had to be reset again.

    To completely remove the CodeMeter registry entries and all your settings, you can call the CodeMeter installer, e.g. CodeMeterRuntime.exe, as follows:
    CodeMeterRuntime.exe /x /ComponentArgs "*": "REMOVECMREG.A961A077_4BD0_4C98_86BC_EE4A98CE550D=1"
  • Starting with CodeMeter version 6.90, the system no longer automatically tries to create firewall rules for CodeMeter WebAdmin during installation. You can reactivate them by activating the component "Remote Access to WebAdmin" during installation (custom setup).
    If CodeMeter is already installed, you can also make changes to the installed components via the system control panel or by running the installer again.
  • If you do not need the CodeMeter .NET components for executing .NET assemblies, you are able to install CodeMeter from a command line without installing the .NET components. Please proceed as follows:

    1. Press Win+R and type "cmd" to open a command prompt.
    2. Navigate to the directory containing the installer, using the ‘cd' command.
    Example: cd C:\Downloads\wibu
    3. Enter the following command:
    CodeMeterRuntime.exe /log /logfile "CmRuntime.log" /componentargs "*":"/qn /l*v ""CmRuntimeMSI.log"" ADDLOCAL=Complete,WibuShellExtension,User_Help REMOVE=DotNET_Modules"
  • To Install the CodeMeter Runtime without the .NET Framework components, please proceed as follows:
    1. Open commandline (DOS-Box) as administrator.
    Type "cmd" in Windows search and right-click on the executable. Then select "Run as administrator".
    2. Use the command "cd" to change the directory to where the CodeMeter Runtime installer is saved to.
    3. Execute the following command:
    CodeMeterRuntime.exe /log /logfile "CmRuntime.log" /componentargs "*":"/qn /l*v ""CmRuntimeMSI.log""
    ADDLOCAL=Complete,WibuShellExtension,User_Help REMOVE=DotNET_Modules"

    This will install the CodeMeter Runtime without the .NET modules.
  • By default, the logging file install.log is located at /var/log/.

    To copy the logging file to the desktop, please use the following command:
    cp /var/log/install.log ~/Desktop/install.log

    To make the log file easier to read, reproduce the installer error again and then copy the log file.
    It is also helpful to know the exact time when the installer was started.
  • No matter, if you want to install or uninstall, the first step is to mount the CodeMeter Installer.
    You can use the following command for this:
    hdiutil attach CmRuntimeUser_...dmg
    The installer is now mounted, for example, as /dev/disk4.

    Subsequently, the installer can be run either for installing or uninstalling:
    Installing: sudo installer -pkg /Volumes/CM-Install/CmInstall.pkg -target /Applications
    Uninstalling: /Volumes/CM-Install/CmUninstall.app/Contents/MacOS/CmUninstall -q

    After successful uninstalling/installing, the installer should be unmounted again with the following command:
    hdiutil detach /dev/disk4
    Note: Here you must replace /dev/disk4 correctly with the path where the installer was initially mounted.

    Finally, you should inform the user that the Mac computer must be rebooted to complete the installation.
  • When installing the CodeMeter Runtime v6.90a/b on 32-bit and 64-bit systems it was observed that the server search list is deleted. This happens, if a CodeMeter version lower than or equal to 6.70 was previously installed and updated to version higher than or equal to 6.70a and lower than or equal to 6.90. If CodeMeter Runtime version 6.90a/b is then installed, calling the previous CodeMeter installer for uninstalling causes the server search list to be deleted. Since the cause is the old installer, we cannot change anything here.

    To avoid this, we recommend to uninstall CodeMeter via "Control Panel | Programs" and then reinstall the current version instead of performing an update installation.
    If you update directly from CodeMeter Runtime version X to CodeMeter v6.90a/b and newer, the server search list will be preserved.
  • You can uninstall CodeMeter from your computer at any time. For the various operating systems, please proceed as follows:

    Windows
    - Select the "Software" option in the Windows System control panel menu item.
    Note: If CodeMeter has been installed together with another software, CodeMeter is not displayed in "Control Panel | Software". In this case, you must uninstall all other software applications which have CodeMeter installed.
    - Select the "CodeMeter Runtime Kit" item and the "Remove" option.Please note that the files of the CodeMeter Runtime Kit are removed only after the final application that has installed or is using CodeMeter is also uninstalled.

    macOS
    - Re-open the CmRuntimeUser.dmg disk image.
    If, in the meantime you should have deleted the disk image file, advance to the Support&Downloads section of the Wibu-Systems website, and download the CodeMeter User Runtime file.
    - Advance to the directory CmRunTime and start the program CmUninstall.mpkg. Follow the instructions of the wizard.
    Alternatively, enter the following command in the commandline:
    $ sudo installer -pkg /Volumes/CmRuntimeUser/CmUninstall.mpkg -target
    Please note that path specification may vary.

    Linux
    Execute the shell command for uninstalling the CodeMeter Runtime Kit:
    - for RPM based distributions, such as, Suse/RedHat/Fedora [rpm -e CodeMeter]
    - for DEB based distributions, such as, Debian/Ubuntu [dpkg -r CodeMeter]
  • Microsoft does not recommend including merge modules from other manufacturers in your own installer:
    https://docs.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/win32/msi/windows-installer-best-practices#do-not-distribute-unserviceable-merge-modules

    As an alternative to the merge modules, you should use the CodeMeter Runtime.exe or CodeMeterRuntime[32|64].msi installer provided by Wibu-Systems for installing CodeMeter.
  • The package can only be verified with the debsig tool. Verification with dpkg-sig is not possible because the two tools are not compatible.
    This process covers 5 steps:

    Step 1: install debsig
    Enter the following command line:
    $ (sudo) apt install debsig

    Step 2: create policy and keyring directories:
    Enter the following command lines:
    $ (sudo) mkdir -p /etc/debsig/policies/5FCB7AB40CC62A25
    $ (sudo) mkdir -p /usr/share/debsig/keyrings/5FCB7AB40CC62A25

    Step 3: create and fill policy file:
    At /etc/debsig/policies/5FCB7AB40CC62A25 create a policy.pol file (the extension must be .pol).

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <!DOCTYPE Policy SYSTEM "http://www.debian.org/debsig/1.0/policy.dtd">
    <Policy xmlns="https://www.debian.org/debsig/1.0/">

    <Origin Name="codemeter" id="5FCB7Ab40CC62A25" Description="CodeMeter"/>

    <Selection>
    <Required Type="origin" File="debsig.gpg" id="5FCB7AB40CC62A25"/>
    </Selection>

    <Verification MinOptional="0">
    <Required Type="origin" File="debsig.gpg" id="5FCB7AB40CC62A25"/>
    </Verification>
    </Policy>

    Step 4: copy the public key (not import it!)
    Enter the following command lines:
    $ gpg --dearmor wibu_pub.gpg
    $ (sudo) cp wibu_pub_dearmored.gpg /usr/share/debsig/keyrings/5FCB7AB40CC62A25/debsig.gpg

    Step 5: verify signature
    Enter the following command line:
    $ debsig-verify codemeter*.deb
    Expected output is:
    >> debsig: verified package from 'CodeMeter' (codemeter)
  • In case of difficulties during CodeMeter installation or uninstallation, the installer logs are required for further investigation.
    These logs are located in the temp directory of the user who performed the installation.
    You can easily find them in Windows Explorer by entering %temp% in the address bar.

    For each installation two log files are created, which have the following structure:
    CodeMeter_v<Version of CodeMeter>_{key value}.log
    CodeMeter_v<Version of CodeMeter>_{key value}_CodeMeterRuntime64.msi

    Example: The CodeMeter-Msi-log of version 6.70 is:
    CodeMeter_v6.70.3152.500_{F49D7631-3323-4361-A0A3 CD9D00F154AC}_CodeMeterRuntime64.msi
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