When upgrading QlikView Server and QlikView Desktop, it is important that you have a valid maintenance contract. If you attempt to upgrade without a valid maintenance contract, the QlikView installation is restricted to an unlicensed mode with limited functionalities.
Every maintenance contract has a limited validity period and a specific end date. This means that your maintenance contract is not valid for a version of QlikView released after the end date indicated in your contract. However, the maintenance contract remains valid for any version of QlikView (Desktop or Server depending on what installation you have) released before the end date of the contract.
The information regarding the maintenance contract, including validity period and end date, is stored in the License Enabler File (LEF). You can verify the validity period of your maintenance contract by checking the end date stored in the LEF file. For QlikView Server, check the LEF file in the QMC. For QlikView Desktop, locate the LEF file in your local drive. Usually, the LEF is automatically transferred and stored in your computer during installation. However, there are instances when this procedure fails and the LEF file is not successfully transferred. For more information about this scenario, see the License Enabler File Editor page.
The validity of the maintenance contract is automatically checked during upgrade. If you are unsure whether your maintenance contract is valid for the QlikView version you want to upgrade to, you should refrain from upgrading. When you attempt to upgrade without a valid maintenance contract, your QlikView installation (Desktop or Server) is restricted to an unlicensed mode with limited functionalities. In QlikView Desktop, the unlicensed mode is called Personal Edition.
In case your QlikView Desktop or Server installation is restricted to the unlicensed mode, you can revert it to the previous version. Follow this downgrade procedure.
Restoring an older QlikView Desktop installation
To restore a previous installation of QlikView Desktop, you must uninstall the current instance and install the older version for which you own a valid maintenance contract.
Restoring an older QlikView Server installation
Before installing a newer version of QlikView Server, read carefully the procedure in Backup and upgrade preparation. This procedure helps you create a backup of your QlikView Server installation, including the QlikView Publisher Repository (QVPR) database. Creating this backup before upgrading allows you to successfully restore a previous version of QlikView Server in case the newer installation is restricted to the unlicensed mode.
To restore a previous installation of QlikView Server, follow these steps:
- Uninstall the unlicensed instance of QlikView Server
- Install an older version of QlikView Server for which you have a valid maintenance contract.
- Restore the QVPR and data directory backups.
