How do I move or transfer my NVivo license to another computer or user?

If you’re using the latest version of NVivo

The latest version of NVivo was released in March 2020, it supersedes NVivo 12. If you’re using NVivo 12 or older, please refer to relevant instructions further below.

 

In short, you will need to deactivate the NVivo Desktop application before you can activate it on a new device (you can activate NVivo on two devices per user). If you want to transfer the license to a new user, you additionally have to re-assign the license in the myNVivo portal.

Deactivation
To transfer NVivo from one computer to another computer or another user, firstly deactivate NVivo on the old device: 

1. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. If you have an NVivo project open, you must close the project (File > Close) before you can deactivate the license.
   1. NVivo - Windows - Click on the File menu, Product Info, Manage License and click Deactivate License.
   2. NVivo – Mac – Click on NVivo menu, Licensing and click Deactivate
2. Click Yes to confirm. NVivo deactivates the license and displays a message to confirm that NVivo has been deactivated.
3. Click OK. The NVivo application automatically closes.

If you need to transfer the NVivo license to another user

If the license is being transferred to another user, any additional installations of NVivo activated using this user’s myNVivo profile will need to be deactivated as well by following the deactivation steps above.

Once this is done, the purchaser will need to login to myNVivo, unassign the license from previous user and re-assign to another user. Refer to NVivo Help for NVivo - Windows or NVivo - Mac for instructions on how to assign and unassign NVivo licenses.

Forgot to deactivate before reformatting a computer or you don´t have access to your old computer? Have a look here

Re-installing and activating your software
To re-install NVivo on your new computer, download NVivo from the Downloads Page within the myNVivo portal (you will be required to sign in with your myNVivo username and password).
Once the software is installed on your new computer, upon opening NVivo for the first time you will be asked to enter your myNVivo username and password. This will activate NVivo on your new computer. Refer to NVivo Help for NVivo - Windows or NVivo - Mac for further instructions on how to activate NVivo.

Moving existing projects
Once you’ve installed NVivo on your new computer, you may also wish to move your existing NVivo projects to the new computer. NVivo project files are stored outside the NVivo application and have .nvp (NVivo Windows) and .nvpx (NVivo Mac) file extension.

These files are stored in the Documents folder by default (unless changed) on your old device. You will need to move these files to the new device through the use of USB disks or any other electronic means to transfer files. Find more info here: How to back-up and where are NVivo project files and my data files stored?
 

If you’re using NVivo 12 or older

Before you move NVivo to a new computer, make sure you have your full 25 character NVivo license key handy. You will find the key in the email you received from QSR (if you downloaded the software) or on the packaging (if you purchased the physical installation media – USB flash drive or DVD). If you’re using NVivo as part of an enterprise license, your organization’s enterprise license contact should be able to provide you with this key.

You can also find which version of NVivo you’re using by going to the ‘About’ screen in NVivo.

• Windows: click File > Product Info > About NVivo
• Mac: click NVivo > About NVivo

Deactivating your license
To transfer NVivo from one computer to another, firstly deactivate the license on the original computer. To do this: 
1. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. 
2. If you have an NVivo project open, you must close the project before you can deactivate the license.

• NVivo 12 (Windows) and NVivo 11 for Windows - Click on the File tab, point to Help, point to Manage License and click Deactivate License. Note: If you are using an older version of NVivo 11 for Windows, instructions to deactivate are the same as NVivo 10 for Windows below.
• NVivo 12 for Mac - Click on NVivo menu, Licensing and click Deactivate.

3. Click Yes to confirm. NVivo deactivates the license and displays a message to confirm that the license has been deactivated.
4. Click OK. The NVivo application automatically closes.
 
Re-installing and activating your software
To re-install NVivo on your new computer, download NVivo from this Downloads Page for older NVivo versions.
If you’re using NVivo 12, you can find further instructions for installing and activating NVivo in NVivo Help for NVivo 12 Windows and NVivo 12 Mac. 
 
Once the software is installed on your new computer, when you open NVivo for the first time you will need to enter and activate your license.
 
Moving existing projects
Once you’ve installed the NVivo software on your new computer, you may also wish to move your existing NVivo projects to the new computer. NVivo project files are stored outside the NVivo application and have .nvp (NVivo Windows) and .nvpx (NVivo Mac) file extension. These files are stored locally in the Documents folder by default (unless changed) on your device. You will need to move these files to the new device through the use of USB disks or any other electronic means to transfer files.