Skip to main content
3-Newcomer
May 6, 2026
Question

installation license problem: invalid file or format

  • May 6, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 218 views

I’m trying to install Creo Parametric with a student license, but while the code I was given generates a Success, the installation tool doesn’t recognize the license created and gives the error “invalid file or format”. I checked the .dat file created with the Notepad app, and it’s indeed empty. I haven’t received a mail with the license, as other threads suggest, so don’t really know what to do

6 replies

3-Newcomer
May 6, 2026

Same issue 

5-Regular Member
May 6, 2026

same..

24-Ruby III
May 7, 2026
3-Newcomer
May 7, 2026

The problem is the .dat file is empty, nothing to change here, is it some sort of server error?

3-Newcomer
May 8, 2026

Seems like it, and its the same when trying to install any version of CREO right now.

3-Newcomer
May 8, 2026

Hi,

I believe it's a general server issue, because it's unable to generate the license. I tested both Creo 11 and Creo 12, and both reported the same problem. Initially, I thought it was the educational license, so I also tested another license, but the error persists.

5-Regular Member
May 12, 2026

I'm also getting an empty license file.
When I contacted PTC support, they said student versions aren't supported.
That's true, but this isn't something the user can fix.
Please help! 

3-Newcomer
May 12, 2026

Been trying for a few days now and exactly the same problem. Empty license file.