[intellij-idea] How do I remove my IntelliJ license in 2019.3?

I have JetBrains IntelliJ installed, how do I remove the license settings? I can find the license details in Help > Register... menu but that does not allow me to remove license settings or to enter invalid data like a nonexisting license server.

Use case: I have a license server installed which is running out of licenses. I want to make sure that my machine does not take a seat if I ever happen to start IntelliJ.

I dont see remove Icon anywhere: enter image description here

Moderator note: please don't suggest how to crack the software or remove trial period limitation.

This question is related to intellij-idea

The answer is


I think there are more solutions!

You can start the app, and here are 3 things you can do:

  1. If the app shows for the first time the "import settings" dialog and then the "create/open a project" dialog, you can click on Settings > Manage License... > Remove License, and that removes for all Jetbrains products*.
  2. If you open products like IntelliJ IDEA and have projects currently active (like the app open automatically the all IDE without prompt), then click on File > Close Project, and follow the first step.
  3. Inside any app of IntelliJ, click on Help > Register... > Remove license.

*In case you have a license for a pack of products. If not, you have to remove the license per product individually. Check the 3rd step.


To remove the license key:

  1. Find the IntelliJ configuration directory
  2. Find the .key license file
  3. Remove or rename the .key license file

In my case on a Windows 7 machine I could find this license key in C:\Users\you\.IntelliJIdea13\config\idea13.key


For Linux to reset current 30 days expiration license, you must run code:

rm ~/.config/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2019.3/options/other.xml
rm -rf ~/.config/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2019.3/eval/*
rm -rf .java/.userPrefs

For PHPStorm 2020.3.2 on ubuntu inorder to reset expiration license, you should run following commands:

sudo rm ~/.config/JetBrains/PhpStorm2020.3/options/other.xml 
sudo rm ~/.config/JetBrains/PhpStorm2020.3/eval/*          
sudo rm -rf .java/.userPrefs

in linux/ubuntu you can do, run following commands

cd ~/.config/JetBrains/PyCharm2020.1
rm eval/PyCharm201.evaluation.key
sed -i '/evlsprt/d' options/other.xml
cd ~/.java/.userPrefs/jetbrains
rm -rf pycharm*

For Windows : Using batch program.

Write this code in a text file and save it.

REM Delete eval folder with licence key and options.xml which contains a reference  to it
for %%I in ("WebStorm", "IntelliJ", "CLion", "Rider", "GoLand", "PhpStorm") do (
  for /d %%a in ("%USERPROFILE%\.%%I*") do (
    rd /s /q "%%a/config/eval"
    del /q "%%a\config\options\other.xml"
  )
)

REM Delete registry key and jetbrains folder (not sure if needet but however)
rmdir /s /q "%APPDATA%\JetBrains"
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JavaSoft" /f

Now rename the file fileName.txt to fileName.bat

Close phpstorm if running. Disconnect internet. Then run the file. Open phpstorm again. If nothing goes wrong you will see the magic.

worst case : If phpstorm still shows "License Expired", at first uninstall and then apply the above technique.


Not sure about older versions, but in 2016.2 removing the .key file(s) didn't work for me.

I'm using my JetBrains account and used the 'Remove License' button found at the bottom of the registration dialog. You can find this under the Help menu or from the startup dialog via Configure -> Manage License....