By now you probably have Hydrology Studio installed but just in case you haven’t, just follow the purchase/download instructions at the product’s website. You will simply click an [Install] button and click [Run] or [Open] depending on your browser.
The initial download will contain the free trial version which has no time limit but limited functionality. For example, you won’t be able to save project files; and most of the reports will be watermarked.
Hydrology Studio uses Microsoft’s “Click-once” technology which makes the installation process fast and easy. Once you have downloaded/installed the software as described above, a desktop icon will be automatically created and will launch the program.
Security Measures
Our software code is digitally signed and secured using the latest signature algorithm sha256RSA insuring that the software you download here is authentic and untampered with. However, on occasion you may initially see the following screen during the installation. If so, click the “More info…” link and then click [Run anyway].


My Click Once Security Trust Prompt is Never Displayed
The message “your administrator has blocked this application because it potentially poses a security risk to your computer” is shown with no option to trust the application. If this occurs, then your Trust Prompts have been disabled for some reason. Here’s a way to check it out and set it.
Visit: https://www.smartlux.com/software/trust-prompt-tool/
Download and run the Trust Prompt Tool.
When it starts it will display your current Trust settings. Do they look like those shown below? If not, set the switches as shown below.

Then click [Write to Registry] and retry the install.
Multiple License Installations
Multiple licenses are no different than the single-seat licenses. Each computer must install the software as described above. It must be installed directly from the website. You will use the same License Key to activate each install. There is no need to install a license server as everything is accounted for on the Hydrology Studio license server. There’s nothing else you need to do.
How to Activate Hydrology Studio
Upon launch, the program checks for the registration License Key. If it is not available, an activation screen appears like the following:

Enter (paste recommended) your License Key to register your software. Once the key is entered it is stored and you won’t be reminded again.
If Your License Registration Fails
If you get an error while attempting to register or activate your software it may be due to:
- A firewall setting on your PC which is blocking communications with our online license server. Please disable the firewall to unblock.
- You have already used up the available number of seats you purchased. You may need to deactivate a license on a previously installed PC or purchase additional seats. See Floating Licenses below. Upgrades can be purchased by logging in to Your Account at hydrologystudio.com using your log-in credentials.
Moving Your License to a Different Computer
From time to time, you may need to replace your existing computer and thus reinstall Hydrology Studio on the new one. You will need to register the license on the new computer.
Do this by first deactivating the license on the old computer. To deactivate, select Manage License… from the File menu and then click [Deactivate]. This frees up the activation so that it can be used on the new computer. Please See Floating Licenses below for specific instructions.
Floating Licenses
All Hydrology Studio licenses employ a simplified floating license server that allows you to move licenses from one computer to another with just a few mouse clicks. Your software can be installed on as many devices as you want, but you can only use it simultaneously up to the number of seats purchased.
For example, if you purchased 3 seats and have 8 users, all users have access, but only 3 can use the software simultaneously. At any time, you can deactivate one (or any) of the installs and reactivate it on another computer; a co-worker, in a branch office, at home, a laptop, or on a new computer for example. This is easily accomplished right in your software. Here’s how:
1. Deactivate an Activated License
Go to any computer that has an active license and deactivate it. This will release it so that it can be re-activated on any other computer. There’s no need to uninstall the software. Once deactivated it will simply revert to the Trial version. No data will be lost.
Choose Manage License… from the Application File Menu.

Then click [Deactivate] on the Register window.

2. Activate the License on Other Computer
On the “Other” computer, choose Manage License… from the Application File Menu.

Then click [Register] on the Register window. Your Serial Number will need to be entered only on the first activation. It will be automatically stored for future uses.

Done. The new computer can now use the software. Repeat as needed.
It is important to know that “seat” refers to “user”, not a computer. So if you have 2 user profiles on the same computer, and you want both users to have concurrent access, it will require two seats or activations. One for each user profile.
Loose Your License Key?
If for some reason your License Key is lost, log-in to Your Account at hydrologystudio.com using your log-in credentials to view your licenses or email support@hydrologystudio.com for retrieval. You will need the email address that was used when it was ordered.