Sublime Text "UNREGISTERED" Still Showing After Entering License

Q: How do I fix "Sublime Text "UNREGISTERED" Still Showing After Entering License"?

1. Use a portable license file: Create a plain text file containing your key and save it as License.sublime_license Place it in the Local folder: %APPDATA%\Sublime Text\Local, ~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text/Local or ~/.config/sublime-text/Local Start Sublime Text and check the title bar no longer shows UNREGISTERED 2. Retrieve or ask: Lost key: use sublimehq.com/store/retrieve_key Still stuck: email sales@sublimetext.com or post in the Technical Support forum Note: safe mode copies your license automatically

Workaround available Windows, macOS, Linux Updated November 14, 2026Based on 4 user reportsHow we research

Quick answer

The title bar should stop saying UNREGISTERED once a valid key is entered. If it does not, try a portable License.sublime_license file; lost keys can be retrieved from the store.

Most likely fix: Use a portable license file

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Use a portable license file
1. Create a plain text file containing your key and save it as License.sublime_license
2. Place it in the Local folder: %APPDATA%\Sublime Text\Local, ~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text/Local or ~/.config/sublime-text/Local
3. Start Sublime Text and check the title bar no longer shows UNREGISTERED
Did this fix it?
2. Retrieve or ask
1. Lost key: use sublimehq.com/store/retrieve_key
2. Still stuck: email sales@sublimetext.com or post in the Technical Support forum
3. Note: safe mode copies your license automatically
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

Title bar still shows UNREGISTERED, or purchase prompts keep appearing after you bought a license.

Why it happens

Key stored per computer and lost after a profile or data reset
Shared home directory conflicts
Key from an expired Business subscription
Lost key

This guide also covers

sublime text unregistered
sublime text license key not working
sublime text license

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