I currently license Cubase 11 Pro, and was planning to upgrade to a newer version in order to move away from the eLicenser dongle as well as enjoy some of the newer features. The current sale, combined with the upcoming eLicenser expiration, provides motivation to do something now. However, I first wanted to upgrade to a newer Windows PC that supports Windows 11, as well as provide a more powerful platform for DAW activities. I am not ready to make the hardware change right now and will likely do this later in the year. However, I also want to make sure I don’t put myself in a situation where I lose access to Cubase Pro 11 in the meantime due to potential issues with the dongle going bad / getting damaged. As I understand, this situation would cause me to forever lose access to Cubase Pro 11. My thought was to purchase the upgrade to Cubase Pro 14 before the sale expires, and then immediately implement an upgrade to Cubase Pro 12. This gets me off the eLicenser dongle using a version of Cubase that I believe my current Windows PC can handle (I don’t believe my 2nd generation Intel Core i7 and AMD Radeon HD 5700 meet minimum recommendations for Cubase Pro 14, but might be adequate for Cubase Pro 12) . Once I acquire a more powerful Windows PC, I would install Cubase 14 Pro on that platform. Am I correct that I can do all this by purchasing the Cubase 14 Pro upgrade now?
A Cubase 14 license will grant access to all previous versions.
I would also double check that if you do leave it, I think an upgrade from 11 after the end of the eLicenser may not be possible and you may have to purchase a full license again. I’m not 100% on this.
Felix will provide more details in 3 - 2 - 1…
Usually, after upgrading the license, you can still use C11 with your current eLicenser. While it is of course not impossible that your eLicenser breaks during that process, it is rather unlikely (and it could happen any day after that anyway…).
With C14, you can use every Cubase version from C12. I don’t remember what the minimum requirements for C12 are, but most likely your computer can run it if it can run C11.
Not that much more tbh…
I saw you typing and didn’t want to start a race 
Instead I went for a countdown knowing that the answer was only seconds away… 
I couldn’t find any system requirements for C12 anywhere… IIRC Win10 was minimum Windows version (or 8.1?).
Anyhoo, another option would be to simply buy the upgrade and wait with the upgrade process until you have the new system, because upgrading is also possible after May 20.
UPDATED: Will I be able to upgrade my eLicenser-based product to Steinberg Licensing after the end of the eLicenser service?
Yes, you will still be able to update or upgrade from an eLicenser-based version of your product to the latest version using Steinberg Licensing. For example, you can update from Cubase Pro 7 to Cubase Pro 14. However, it is essential that the eLicenser-based product is registered in your MySteinberg account.
Personally, I’d just upgrade now, though, and either continue with C11 or simply try to install C12 (or later) on your current system…
Thanks all for the feedback … looks like I’ll be purchasing a license upgrade!
That’s no longer the case. If your elicenser is registered in MySteinberg you can update at any time…even after dongle breaks or the dog eats it.
Ah great, this is good news for anyone yet to upgrade!