Installation
      Back to home
      1. Knowledge Base
      2. Installation

      FluidFlow – Transferring to Another Server

      Learn how to transfer your FluidFlow installation to a new server, including moving user accounts, preferences, data, and licenses. Follow our step-by-step instructions for a smooth migration.

      FluidFlow – Transferring to Another Server

      This guide outlines the standard process for moving your FluidFlow installation from one server to another.

      Follow these steps to ensure that the license, and all user data and preferences, and licenses are transferred successfully.

       

       

      1 – Install FluidFlow on the New Server

      1. Download the latest version of FluidFlow from our Portal Login.

        Contact sales@fluidflowinfo.com or your local distributor if you do not know your username and password.

      2. Run the FluidFlow installation program (FF3SETUP.EXE) on the new server.

        • When prompted on the Installation Kind page, select Network Server.


      3. After installation, a PSFF.INI file will be automatically created in the FluidFlow installation folder (default: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Flite\\FluidFlow3).

        Example configuration:

        [Options]
        DataFolder=\\\\YourServer\\C$\\Users\\Public\\Documents\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Data
        PreferencesFolder=\\\\YourServer\\C$\\Users\\Public\\Documents\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Preferences
        NetworkAccessFolder=\\\\YourServer\\C$\\Users\\Public\\Documents\\Flite\\FluidFlow3

         

        Important: We recommend sharing only the "[Public Documents]\\Flite\\FluidFlow3" folder rather than the entire C drive, and updating the PSFF.INI file accordingly. For further guidance, see: FluidFlow – Network Installation Instructions or contact support@fluidflowinfo.com.



      4. When first run on the new server, FluidFlow will automatically be activated as a trial for 2 weeks, for 1 user with all modules.

         

        You will later transfer your existing license (see section 5 – Transferring the License).

       

      2 – Copy FF3USERS.DB to the New Installation

      This file stores the FluidFlow usernames and passwords. The location of the file will vary depending on the version of FluidFlow on your existing installation, or if you are using a PSFF.INI:


      • If a PSFF.INI has been created in the application folder, the NetworkAccessFolder entry should hold the location of the FF3USERS.DB file.
      • If using FluidFlow v3.31 or lower, and there is no PSFF.INI | NetworkAccessFolderentry, the FF3USERS.DB file will be in the application folder (typically, C:\Program Files (x86)\Flite\FluidFlow3).
      • If using FluidFlow v3.32 or higher, and there is no PSFF.INI | NetworkAccessFolderentry, the FF3USERS.DB file will be in the “Public Documents” folder (typically, C:\Users\Public\Documents\Flite\FluidFlow3). You can determine the “base” Public Documents folder by putting %PUBLIC% in the Windows Explorer address bar and searching from there. When you find this file, copy it to your new installation to the location specified in the new installation’s PSFF.INI’s NetworkAccessFolderentry.

       

      Copy the FF3USERS.DB file to your new installation in the location defined in the new PSFF.INI’s NetworkAccessFolder.

       

       

      3 – Copy the Preferences Folder to the New Installation

      This folder contains user-specific calculation and flowsheet settings.


      • If using PSFF.INI – Check the PreferencesFolder entry for the location.

      • v3.31 or lower (no PSFF.INI) – Located under the application folder (e.g.,

        C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Preferences).

      • v3.32 or higher (no PSFF.INI) – Located in the “Public Documents” folder (e.g.,

        C:\\Users\\Public\\Documents\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Preferences).

       

      Copy this folder and all subfolders to your new installation’s PreferencesFolder.

       

       

      4 – Copy the DATA Folder to the New Installation

      This folder contains all equipment data used by FluidFlow.


      • If using PSFF.INI – Check the DataFolder entry.

      • v3.31 or lower (no PSFF.INI) – Located under the application folder (e.g.,

        C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Data).

      • v3.32 or higher (no PSFF.INI) – Located in the “Public Documents” folder (e.g.,

        C:\\Users\\Public\\Documents\\Flite\\FluidFlow3\\Data).

       

      Copy this folder and all subfolders to your new installation’s DataFolder.

       

       

      5 – Transferring the License

      The FluidFlow License Manager (FluidFlow3LM.EXE) is used for license transfers.

      If the License Manager is not present on your existing installation, download it here and extract it into the same folder as PSFF.EXE.


      On the new installation:

      1. Start FluidFlow.
      2. Go to Help → Activate FluidFlow…
      3. Make a note of the Product ID.
      4. Close FluidFlow.

      On the existing installation:

      1. Start FluidFlow License Manager.
      2. Open the Export License tab.
      3. Enter the Product ID from the new server.
      4. Specify a filename for export (e.g., C:\\TEMP\\Transfer.LIC).
      5. Select the modules to transfer.
      6. Click Export License.
      7. Copy Transfer.LIC to the new server.

      On the new installation:

      1. Start FluidFlow License Manager.
      2. Open the Import License tab.
      3. Enter the file path for Transfer.LIC.
      4. Click Import License.
      5. Restart FluidFlow.


       

      ✅ Tip: For best performance and security, always ensure both servers are running the latest supported release of FluidFlow. This protects your investment, ensures calculation accuracy, and license replacement is included under our SUM Policy.