TechNote (Archived)

Distributing files in volume license environments

Issue

When automating product installation in volume license environments, special action is required to distribute files that disable product activation and registration.

This information applies to the following Macromedia products from Adobe: Studio 8, Flash 8, Dreamweaver 8, Fireworks 8 and Contribute 3.x.

Reason

Unless extra steps are taken to distribute certain files, end users are prompted to activate products, and menu options are available associated with product registration.

Solution

Perform the following steps in conjunction with normal steps for creating a product installation image for distributing stand-alone or Studio 8 products in a volume license environment. Please refer to Installing Studio 8 Windows products over a network (TechNote a4175402) for related information.

For network installation of Studio 8 products, the product activation licensing files (all contained in one folder as defined below) need to be copied to the user profiles on each destination machine. If done properly, the users are not prompted for serial number or registration when they first launch any Studio application.

Perform an administrative installation of the applicable Studio 8 products. Refer to Installing Studio 8 Windows products over a network (TechNote a4175402) for related information.
Launch the applicable products, enter the volume serial number, and complete the activation process.
- If more than one Studio product is installed (including the whole Studio package), launch each product and complete the registration/activation process.
- NOTE: You may not be prompted to register/activate each product.
Distribute the Macromedia Licensing folder to end user machines.
- On Windows, the Licensing folder is normally located at:
  C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Macromedia\Licensing\
- On Macintosh, the Licensing folder is normally located at:
  HD:Library:Application Support:
- This folder location may vary based on your local system configuration.
- This folder must be distributed to the matching location on each destination machine.

It is recommended that the licensing folder be distributed in a separate installation process from the Studio applications. This simplifies the process and helps insure distribution to the correct location.

Additional Information

For more information about the volume license program or to purchase a volume contract, see the Macromedia Volume License Program (MVLP) section of the Macromedia Online Store.