The file's location depends on your operating system and whether you opted for a standard or a portable installation.
When you import your key, REAPER copies the file into its hidden system resource folder. If you are migrating to a new machine or backing up your system, you can find it manually in these default locations: 1. Windows Location
Even a straightforward file like a license key can encounter issues.
: Usually located in %AppData%\REAPER or the installation folder if you are using a portable install. reaper-license.rk
: The file typically contains a block of encoded data (often Base64) that includes the user's name, the license type (Discounted or Commercial), and a cryptographic signature.
Launch REAPER. The DAW automatically scans your clipboard on startup.
If you have purchased a license and received your file via email, follow these steps to activate your software: The file's location depends on your operating system
While it ends in .rk , it is essentially a text-based file. If you open it in a text editor, you will see a block of code starting with --- BEGIN REAPER LICENSE --- .
For users without an internet connection, the feature might provide an offline activation method through a generated activation request file that can be processed on a connected device.
If you have lost the .rk file but still have the email containing the license key text, you can copy the text directly. Windows Location Even a straightforward file like a
For further details on purchasing or recovering a lost key, the official REAPER Purchase Page is the most authoritative source.
: In REAPER, go to Options > Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder to jump straight to the correct folder. How to transfer REAPER license to a new computer?
Because REAPER relies on a notoriously user-friendly approach to Digital Rights Management (DRM), managing the .rk file is incredibly simple compared to the invasive iLok dongles or cloud-based subscription locks used by competing DAWs. What is the reaper-license.rk File?
This is not an error but an expected behavior. If your license is valid only for REAPER v6 and you attempt to use it on REAPER v7, it will not work. You can either: