Instructions on New Installation and Re-activation of Stata

Sometimes you might get confused on whether or not you need to re-install your new Stata software. For example, you might have Stata installed already on your computer, but you’ve purchased a new licence, do you still need to install a brand new software package in this case? This article provides you with a clear guidance on different scenarios where you need to install Stata or just re-activate your Stata with your new licence detail.

Below is a graph demonstrating the different scenario when you need to re-activate your Stata software or install a new software package:

In conclusion, if you are purchasing a new licence because your current licence is expiring or has expired, and the new licence will be under the same version as well as the same edition, in this situation you don’t need to re-install the software package. What you need to do is to re-activate your expired Stata licence using your new Stata licence file. We will send you the new licence file through email.

To re-activate your Stata software, firstly, you will need administrator rights on your computer to re-activate Stata. Please then follow the instructions below to install the new Stata licence. You will need the activation key from your Stata Licence File that is attached in the email we send to you.

Re-activation instructions

  1. Locate the STATA.LIC file on your computer. Using Windows Explorer (Windows), Finder (macOS) or File Manager (Linux) navigate to the directory in which your Stata executable files are stored. Usually this is C:\Program Files\StataVR\ (Windows) or Applications/Stata (macOS) or /user/local/StataVR (linux), where VR is the version number.

  2. Delete the STATA.LIC file

  3. Open Stata and enter Serial number, Code and Authorisation as provided in the attached licence file. Make sure to copy-paste from the licence file to avoid any typos.

  4. Follow the prompts on screen.

  5. Check that your new licence has been installed. At the Stata command line type about to confirm that the serial number and licence type matches your new licence. If the old licence still appears after typing about, you may need to re-install Stata.

To re-install Stata, please go into your StataVR folder (you will need administrator rights) and delete the STATA.LIC file that is located there. Your StataVR folder is at this directory for Windows: C:\Program Files\StataVR and Applications\Stata for an Apple Macintosh.

Once you have deleted the licence file you should be able to close and re-open Stata and it will prompt you to enter your licence details. At this point please enter your new licence details and the licence will be activated. Please copy and paste the Serial number, Code and Authorisation to avoid mis-typing. Again, check that this has been successful by typing about in the command line your Stata.

If your new licence is either under a different edition (but still within the current Stata version) or now under a newer version, then you will need to install the Software package again on your computer.

Stata download instructions

  1. Download Stata here.

  2. Use the username and password provided in your delivery email to log in, or contact us at sales@surveydesign.com.au for new credentials.

  3. Choose the operating system on which you are installing Stata.

  4. Follow the instructions on screen to download the appropriate install.

Installation and activation instructions

You will need administrator rights on your computer to install Stata. Follow these instructions to install Stata. You will need the activation key from your attached Stata Licence.

  1. Open the install file.

  2. Read and accept the End User Licence Agreement to proceed with the installation.

  3. Follow the instructions on screen and select the appropriate edition (listed on your licence file).

  4. Once you have installed Stata you will need to start Stata to initialise the licence. You will need administrator rights for this also. The first time you run Stata it will ask for your serial number, code and authorisation. Enter them as shown on your Stata licence (attached). Once the licence has been initialised you do not need administrator rights to open Stata after this.