FLEXnet error -21,xxx "License file does not support this version"

THIS INFORMATION ONLY PERTAINS TO SOFTWARE VERSIONS IDL 8.5, ENVI 5.3 AND PRIOR

After installing the license via the licensing wizard, a form of the following error message appears when attempting to start ENVI or IDL:

% LICENSE MANAGER: License file does not support this version
Feature: idl
Application version > License version: 8.2 > 8.100
Filename: C:\Program Files\Exelis\license\license.dat
License path: C:\Program Files\Exelis\license\license.dat
FLEXnet error: -21,126 System Error: 2

This error commonly occurs when the license file that is referenced when launching a session of ENVI or IDL is built to an older version of ENVI or IDL than the version that is being launched.  To troubleshoot this error, begin by confirming that the license being referenced contains the correct version of ENVI or IDL.  Locate the license file in your Exelis\license directory and open the license file using a plain text editor.  Check the version of ENVI or IDL that is referenced in the file.  Below is an example of an IDL 8.2 license feature taken from an IDL license:

INCREMENT idl idl_lmgrd 8.200 1-jan-0000 uncounted 0123456789876543210 \
VENDOR_STRING="999999-1 EXELISVISTECHSUPPORT" \

Notice that the product "idl" is listed after "INCREMENT" and the IDL version "8.200" is located after "idl_lmgrd".  Licenses are backwards compatible, so this license file can be used to open IDL version 8.2, as well as previous versions.  If you open the license file and note that the IDL version is older than the version you are trying to open (for example, the version in the license file reads 8.000, and you are trying to launch IDL 8.2).

Solution:

You will need to replace the license.dat file with a file that is built to at least the version of ENVI or IDL that you are attempting to launch.  If you do not have a license with the correct version, you must request another license or generate an updated license via the web licensing portal.