# Start License Server

The following sections describe the different ways that you can start License Server.

NOTE: For License Server to run, you must have a valid `licensekey.dat` file in the same folder as the `licenseserver.exe`.

## Start License Server on Microsoft Windows

- Start the License Server service. License Server must be installed as a Windows Service. See Install an IDOL Component as a Service on Windows.

  1. Display the Windows Services dialog box.
  2. Select the LicenseServer service, and click Start to start the component.
  3. Click Close to close the Services dialog box.

  TIP: You can also configure the Windows Service to run automatically when you start the machine.

- Start License Server from the command line. For more information, refer to the IDOL Getting Started Guide.

- Double-click the `licenseserver.exe` file.

## Start License Server on UNIX

- Start the License Server service from the command line. The component must be installed as a service. See Install an IDOL Component as a Service on Linux. You can use one of the following commands to start the service:

  - On systemd Linux platforms:

        systemctl start LicenseServer

  - On System V Linux platforms:

        service LicenseServer start

  - On Solaris platforms (using System V):

        /etc/init.d/LicenseServer start

  TIP: You can also configure the service to run automatically when you start the machine.

- Start License Server from the command line. For more information, refer to the IDOL Getting Started Guide.

- Use the start script (`start-licenseserver.sh`).

  NOTE: In most cases, Micro Focus recommends that you use the provided init scripts instead.

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