[Solved] How do I transfer an IntelliJ Ultimate license and configuration from one system to another?

Quick Fix: IntelliJ license is linked to a user account, not to a specific machine, so no transfer is needed. To restore your settings, use Import/Export or Settings Sync. Alternatively, copy the configuration directory from one machine to another.

The Problem:

A user has acquired a new system and intends to transfer the license and configuration of their existing IntelliJ Ultimate subscription from the old system to the new one. They seek guidance on the appropriate steps to accomplish this task.

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Transfer License and Configuration

IntelliJ Ultimate licenses are tied to user accounts, so you don’t need to transfer your license. Simply register the IDE on your new system using the same account.

Exportable Settings:

To transfer your IDE settings, you can use the import/export feature:

Go to File > Export Settings….
Choose the settings you want to export and a location to save the file.

Import Settings:

Go to File > Import Settings….
Select the exported settings file and click OK.

Settings Sync:

You can also use the settings sync feature:

Enable the Settings Repository in Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > Settings Repository.
Configure a repository (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) and upload your settings.
On your new system, clone the repository and restore your settings from it.

Configuration Directory:

Alternatively, you can manually copy the configuration directory from your old system to your new one:

Locate the configuration directory in Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Directory for Configuration and Logs.
Copy the contents of the directory to the same location on your new system.

Q&A

How do I transfer an Ultimate license from one system to another?

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IDEA license is not tied to a physical machine, rather to a user / account. Therefore, there is no need to transfer your license; you just register the IDE as usual on a new system.

How do I transfer my configuration from one system to another?

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You can use the import/export or the settings sync feature. Another way would be to just copy the configuration directory from one machine to another.

Video Explanation:

The following video, titled "IntelliJ IDEA. Cloning a Project from GitHub - YouTube", provides additional insights and in-depth exploration related to the topics discussed in this post.