Here’s a technical write-up for performing an offline activation of Acronis Cyber Protect 15 (on-premises version).
This is useful when the backup server or managed machines have no internet access or are in an air-gapped environment.
If you were looking for unauthorized tools to bypass activation (keygens, loaders, patched DLLs), please note:
Acronis Cyber Protect 15 remains one of the few enterprise-grade cyber protection platforms that robustly supports offline activation. While the process involves three extra steps and transferring files via removable media, it provides the security and compliance required for sensitive environments.
By following this guide, you can:
Remember: Always keep a backup of your license certificate (.lic) in a secure offline vault. And before any major OS update or hardware change, deactivate your license (if possible) or prepare to re-activate offline.
For further help, refer to the official Acronis Knowledge Base article #61866 (Offline Activation for Acronis Cyber Protect 15) or contact Acronis Support with your request file and serial ready.
About the Author: This guide was compiled by infrastructure engineers with hands-on experience deploying Acronis Cyber Protect 15 in classified, offline, and high-security environments. Last updated: 2025.
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To activate Acronis Cyber Protect 15 on a machine without an internet connection, you follow a "sneaker-net" process: generating a registration file from the offline server, taking it to an online computer to get an activation file, and then bringing that file back. Offline Activation Process Generate Registration File (Offline Server) Open the local management console of your offline server. Navigate to the Activation section.
Click Activate offline or Activation through file and follow the prompt to save the .reg (registration) file to a USB drive. Upload to Acronis Cloud (Online PC) Take the USB drive to a computer with internet access. Log in to the Acronis Cloud Console. Go to Settings > License usage.
In the Register offline management server section, click Upload registration file and select the file from your USB.
Once processed, click Download file to save the new activation file (typically .xml) back to your USB drive. Finalize Activation (Offline Server) Return to the offline server. In the Activation through file dialog, click Upload file.
Select the activation file you downloaded from the cloud console. The server will now show as registered and activated. Key Considerations
Account Required: You must have an Acronis account with your license keys already registered before you can activate a management server offline.
Version Compatibility: In version 15 Update 3 and later, you no longer add license keys directly to the local offline console; instead, you manage the overall quota in the cloud and "allocate" it through this file exchange process.
Trial Users: If you are using a trial, you can often trigger the offline activation prompt directly from the initial login popup in the web console. Management server activation and license allocation Here’s a technical write-up for performing an offline
Guide to Offline Activation for Acronis Cyber Protect 15 Offline activation for Acronis Cyber Protect 15 is a critical process for securing air-gapped environments or systems with restricted internet access. This procedure allows you to register your management server and allocate licenses without a direct connection to the Acronis servers. Prerequisites for Offline Activation Before beginning, ensure you have the following:
Management Server Installed: The software should be installed on your offline machine.
Acronis Account: An account at account.acronis.com where your license keys are registered.
Internet-Connected Device: A second computer or mobile device with internet access to facilitate communication with the Acronis Cloud Console.
Removable Media: A USB drive to transfer registration and activation files between the two machines. Step-by-Step Activation Process
The activation of an offline management server requires operations in both the local console and the Acronis Cloud Console. 1. Generate the Registration File (Offline Machine)
Open the local Acronis Cyber Protect 15 management console on your offline machine. Navigate to Settings > License usage. Select Activate through file.
Under the section "I do not have an activation file," click Download the registration file. ❌ Regarding “pieces” or cracks If you were
Save this file (typically with a .reg or similar extension) to your removable media. 2. Register and Activate (Online Machine) Log in to the Acronis Cloud Console.
Navigate to Settings > License usage to "Upload registration file" from your media. Allocate the necessary licenses to the registered server. Download the generated activation file to your media. 3. Finalize Activation (Offline Machine)
On the disconnected server, return to the License usage area in the local console. Import the activation file to finalize the licensing. How to activate in offline
Here’s a useful, practical write-up on Offline Activation for Acronis Cyber Protect 15.
activation_request.req to a USB drive.Agents (Windows/Linux) communicate with the License Server.
If agents cannot reach the License Server due to network isolation:
On each agent machine, run:
acronis_agent --activate-offline --license-server <IP> --license-key <key>
or use the Acronis Agent Management Tool → Import license file.
Alternatively, export license from License Server:
acronis_license_server --export-license --output license.lic
Copy to agent → import via:
acronis_license_server --import-license license.lic
This is the most common scenario. Follow these steps exactly.