# Why can't I move from USB elicenser to soft elicenser?

**URL:** <https://forums.steinberg.net/t/why-cant-i-move-from-usb-elicenser-to-soft-elicenser/721876>\
**Category:** WaveLab\
**Created:** [May 30, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/why-cant-i-move-from-usb-elicenser-to-soft-elicenser/721876 "2021-05-30T01:35:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougb415](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@dougb415](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/dougb415)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/why-cant-i-move-from-usb-elicenser-to-soft-elicenser/721876/1 "2021-05-30T01:35:18Z")

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I have been having problems with WL Elements 10 recently. The elicenser software says that there are no valid licenses found, yet my USB elicenser is glowing red. I have to uninstall and reinstall the elicenser software, then pull the USB key and replug it in while elicenser starts back up.

That can’t be the correct procedure.

I would like to get rid of the physical dongle. I only use my own studio, so I have no need of the portability factor. I just want to get rid of it. Why does this seem to be impossible to do?

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**Author:** ![Scab\_Pickens](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/scab_pickens/32/410548_2.png) [@Scab\_Pickens](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Scab_Pickens)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/why-cant-i-move-from-usb-elicenser-to-soft-elicenser/721876/2 "2021-05-30T16:49:12Z")

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> [@dougb415](#):
>
> Why does this seem to be impossible to do?

Because it is (impossible).

Nobody knows the details as of now, but Steinberg is apparently working on a new licensing system …

[License management and the future of the eLicenser - changes ahead - Announcements - Steinberg Forums](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/license-management-and-the-future-of-the-elicenser-changes-ahead/701407)

[Follow-up Regarding eLicenser Discontinuation - Announcements - Steinberg Forums](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/follow-up-regarding-elicenser-discontinuation/705616)

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**Author:** ![dougb415](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@dougb415](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/dougb415)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/why-cant-i-move-from-usb-elicenser-to-soft-elicenser/721876/3 "2021-05-30T17:45:10Z")

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I hope my current system will function until then. It also might have to do with the fact that I’m using an M1 Mac Mini and the code might not be ready for the new chip. Thanks for the reply!