I suppose that 99 % of the PC/Mac owners connect their computer at least once a month. This is also required for security reasons (antivirus, critical updates…). So maybe you have a particular problem like living in a place where the Internet access is difficult? I think that even a 3G connection would be enough to validate your licence. It will require only a small quantity of data to exchange.
Really , well my pure DAW only gets connected when there’s a large Steinberg update , no other software on my Computer and i know quite a few studios that do precisely the same , No updates until another release of Steinberg software , if your connecting to the internet Win10 automatically downloads all updates and with the proven past history it’s not a good thing to update while you have active projects so if you have to connect to the Net once a month to redeem a licence you have already paid for then if COULD cause major compatibility issues if Windows release an update that’s not supported by Steinberg .
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@vncvr: Yes that maks the difference. If you loose a licence, wit elicenser you get a backup. Without elicense, you losse the license. The same as Cakewalk!!! License is lost and can not retrieved. But with a elicenser a backup could be possible. But Cakewalk didnt support a backup. → License lost!
Yes, you have a dedicated “Steinberg PC”. That’s a pro configuration!
I think there is a way to program the Windows update software in order to wait a few days before updating. That could be a way to help you. You say to the system to wait a few days, no Windows update is done and you do this every month.
In this case your “treasure” is not your dongle, but your customer ID. In the case of Cakewalk you could always connect to your account and find your products. But if you lost your ID 
I don’t want help thanks, i want a Daw that doesn’t require what you are proposing , end of !
Some people here take iLok as an example, because you have the choice for most products between dongle and software.
I remember reading their conditions, and unlike Steinberg, I had the impression that it’s not a customer-friendly company. I considered buying their iLok but I saw that if I lost it, they told that they were unable to recover your licenses! Unless you subscribe annually to their service! It’s a shame. If you don’t subscribe, they tell you “you have to contact every vendor” (for example EastWest, UVI…) to know if they are OK to reactivate every license. I didn’t go further…
iLok doesn’t seem to be a fair example to me (unless they have changed their system).
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There are a variety of systems that, naturally, use the Internet for validation at some point in the licensing process.
iLok has three options as far as I know.
- the dongle
- use your machine as dongle
- cloud based
IIRC, which you’re able to use is determined by the software house. E.g I can put Soundtoys on the dongle or my machine, but not in the cloud; Oxford Envolution can be put on the dongle or in the cloud, but not on the machine.
As mentioned in this thread, Plugins Alliance offer options. Waves use a similar system and Propellerheads have either cloud based, or machine based.
Personally, I favour cloud and machine based options but I think the key is flexibility.
I think you are right. Waves also has an interesting system where you can make your own dongle with a USB key.
The key is flexibility… and protection, in case of a problem (dongle lost, computer crash…).
I agree. From the stories I read, their copy protection system (and customer service) are horrible and awful. If Steinberg would follow the same route then I would have to quit immediately.
Recently I spent 6 months in a place with awful internet connection.
Sure, checking license even on very weak connection is not a problem but… every single time you’ll also get a pop-up window: new update is available and you MUST update to use license app. Download size: 200MB. And then when it’s the same for several other companies, you really can feel how it can be problematic.
Before I ended up in such rural area I also was wondering why people complain about it. Now I understand and even that I have access to very fast internet again, I stand on the side of those who don’t want to be forced to be constantly connected to the internet so the license app can check every few minutes if you’re still owner of the software you bought (exaggeration I know).
It would be nice if Steinberg would make a survey for this stuff.
From my experience I would like to avoid a situation like this:
- recovering licenses: once per year, otherwise pay or wait 1 year to be able to use the software you paid for (Waves)
- cloud-based like Roland Cloud: absolutely awful, buggy broken system
- checking licenses every x hours/days/weeks through the online connection
I belong to a group that has no bigger problems with eLicenser. Obviously, the USB stick is annoying when used with a laptop remotely. But besides that, I love the fact that I have to check my license once after I build a new PC/get a new laptop and it’s done. I can use Cubase without any delays whenever I want.
The last thing I need in my life is the situation where I want to use software and I can’t because I need to: check the license, update license app, deal with broken license app, connection errors because the app is buggy… and then after 2 hours I can finally run Cubase… or not.
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Steinberg stated a few times now that people will continue to be able to authorize, at least the old products which came with eLicenser, with the dongle.
Although my opinion is: Get the fk rid of the poop, as quick as possible. Nothing worse than dongle protection.
A one time C/R machine authorization like Presonus do would probably be the best, if Steinberg wants to go that way.
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NEVER iLOK!!! You have to pay monthly perpetual for saving your licenses!!! Otherwise the licenses are lost when ilok stick broke! AND: iLok Hardware is VERY sensible
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A required re-activation would be TOTALLY unacceptable.
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Well, you’d think the sensible method would be for the activation to process in the background each day you’re connected to the internet - that way whenever you’re offline you have the full 30 days.
The trouble is, people then complain that it’s checking each day. Even though the data transmitted is incredibly small.
This is why companies are forced to follow every 30 days check schedules - as to not piss anyone off who will moan “You said every 30 days! It’s doing it every day! This is an invasion of my privacy/unlawful use of my internet (yadda yadda.)”.
Eh? It just updates in the background with an active connection and you wouldn’t know anything about it, on any machine, regardless of license count.
I’m really curious as to what you think the process will be to even make this a concern? Are you saying it’s more complicated than:-
- Turn machine on
- Use software
?
So, You’re running an offline system that has no connection to the internet unless you manually ‘hook it up’ to get a connection, right?
Completely agreed. NOT iLok but an unbreakable metal dongle. That is what I meant. 
My music computer is online since 90’s 
I am on Mac though.
But seriously being able to download the licence file to a thumb or something( Waves) would solve many users’ problem.
I think Steinberg would like to prevent their products being pirated, though. Cubase is a fortress compared to Waves free-for-all approach. 
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