Symptoms

The FlexNet Publisher License Server will not start when installed as a service now that, with the release of 11.13.1, the service startup is configured for Local Service rather than Local System.

Cause

The service needs write and update access to the directory where the log file will be written; it will not have this by default.

This can be resolved by following the steps defined in the FlexNet Publisher Release Notes (reproduced below).

NOTE: The Release Notes refer specifically to Windows 10, but it has been shown that the same principles also apply to Windows 7, Window 8, and Window Server 2012.

Resolution

When running lmgrd-as-a-service or lmadmin-as-a-service from a Windows 10 non-admin account, folder permissions may need to be set.

This issue arises after using lmadmin.exe -installService <service name> and installs.exe or lmtools to configure a license server to run as a Windows Service on Windows 10. When attempting to start the Service from a user-privilege account, a -5 access is denied error may occur. This is because the folder in which the Service is installed does not have Local Service privileges.

As a workaround, these privileges can be applied using the Security tab of File Explorer:

1. Navigate to the folder path where the service is installed.
2. Select the folder, right click, and select Properties.
3. In the Properties dialog box, click the Security tab, select Group or user names and click the Advanced button.
4. In the Advanced Security Settings for nnn window, click Enable Inheritance or Disable Inheritance as applicable to enable or disable settings.
5. Select the check box Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from the object and click Apply.