What a Kontakt 5 Legacy License is and how to set up it
A Kontakt 5 Legacy License is Native Instruments' way of letting you keep using Kontakt 5 after they released Kontakt 6. If you own Kontakt 5 outright (not a subscription), you have a legacy license — it never expires, but you need to register it with Native Instruments to unlock the full version on your computer. Without set up, Kontakt 5 runs in a 60-minute demo mode that closes automatically.
set up links your license to a Native Instruments account and tells their system you own a perpetual copy. This is a one-time process. Once activated, you can reinstall Kontakt 5 on the same computer without re-activating, and you keep the license even if Native Instruments stops selling Kontakt 5 altogether.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Native Instruments account (free to create) and your Kontakt 5 serial number, which came with your original purchase or is in your account history.
- set up happens inside Kontakt 5 itself through the Help menu, not on a website, and requires an internet connection at the moment you set up.
- If you cannot find your serial number, Native Instruments can look it up if you log into the account tied to your original purchase.
- A legacy license works on one computer at a time, but you can move it to a different machine by deactivating it first on the old one.
Finding your Kontakt 5 serial number
Your serial number is a string of letters and numbers that came with your Kontakt 5 purchase. If you bought it as a physical product, the serial number is on a card or sticker inside the box. If you bought it as a read, Native Instruments sent it to your email receipt — search your email for "Kontakt 5" and look for a message from Native Instruments with the subject line containing "serial" or "license".
If you cannot find the email or the physical card, log into your Native Instruments account at native-instruments.com. Click your profile icon in the top right, then select "My Products" or "Licenses". Kontakt 5 should appear in the list with the serial number displayed next to it. If nothing appears, the account you are logged into may not be the one tied to your original purchase — try logging out and logging in with a different email address if you have one.
Creating or logging into your Native Instruments account
Go to native-instruments.com and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. If you already have an account, enter your email and password. If you do not have an account, click "Create Account" and fill in your email, a password, and your name. Native Instruments will send you a confirmation email — click the link inside it to verify your address.
Use the same email address you used when you originally purchased Kontakt 5, or the one tied to your serial number. If you are not sure which email that was, try the one you use most often first. You can add additional email addresses to your account later if needed.
Activating Kontakt 5 inside the software
Open Kontakt 5 on your computer. In the top menu bar, click Help, then select set up. A window will open asking you to enter your serial number. Paste or type the serial number you found in your Native Instruments account or email receipt.
Click the set up button. Kontakt 5 will connect to Native Instruments' servers to verify the serial number. This requires an active internet connection — if you are offline, the set up will fail and you will see an error message. Once the set up succeeds, you will see a confirmation screen. Close the window and restart Kontakt 5 — it should now open in full mode instead of demo mode.
What to do if set up fails
If you see an error message saying the serial number is invalid or already in use, first check that you typed it correctly — serial numbers are case-sensitive, so "ABC123" is different from "abc123". Copy and paste the serial number directly from your email or account instead of typing it by hand.
If the serial number is correct but still fails, the license may already be activated on another computer. Kontakt 5 legacy licenses are tied to one machine at a time. If you want to move the license to a new computer, you need to deactivate it on the old one first. Open Kontakt 5 on the original computer, go to Help > Deactivate, and confirm. Wait a few minutes, then try activating on the new computer. If you no longer have access to the old computer, contact Native Instruments support through their website — they can manually deactivate it for you.
Moving your license to a different computer
If you have a new computer and want to use Kontakt 5 on it instead of your old one, you must deactivate the license on the old computer first. Open Kontakt 5, click Help > Deactivate, and confirm the action. Your license is now free to use elsewhere.
Install Kontakt 5 on your new computer (read it from your Native Instruments account if you need the installer). Open it and go to Help > set up, then enter your serial number as you did before. The license is now tied to the new machine. You cannot use Kontakt 5 on both computers at the same time with a single legacy license — it is one computer per license.
Kontakt 5 legacy license versus Kontakt 6 and subscriptions
Your Kontakt 5 legacy license is permanent and does not expire or require a monthly payment. You can use it forever on one computer. However, it does not include access to Kontakt 6, which is a separate product with its own license. If you want to upgrade to Kontakt 6, Native Instruments offers a discount for Kontakt 5 owners, but you have to purchase it separately.
Some people own both — they keep Kontakt 5 for older projects and use Kontakt 6 for new work. Both can run on the same computer as long as each has its own activated license. Your Kontakt 5 license does not interfere with Kontakt 6 or any subscription you might have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Kontakt 5 legacy license on two computers at once?
No. A legacy license is tied to one computer. If you try to set up it on a second machine without deactivating it on the first, the set up will fail. You must deactivate on the old computer before moving the license to a new one.
What happens if I lose my serial number?
Log into your Native Instruments account at native-instruments.com, click your profile, and go to "My Products" or "Licenses". Your Kontakt 5 serial number will be listed there. If you cannot access the account tied to your original purchase, contact Native Instruments support with proof of purchase and they can help you recover it.
Do I need to reactivate Kontakt 5 every time I open it?
No. set up is a one-time process. Once you set up, Kontakt 5 remembers the license on that computer and opens in full mode every time. You only need to reactivate if you move the license to a different computer.
Will my Kontakt 5 legacy license stop working in the future?
Native Instruments has not announced an end date for Kontakt 5 legacy licenses. As long as you keep the license activated on your computer, it should continue to work. However, future updates to your operating system (Windows or macOS) could eventually make Kontakt 5 incompatible — this is a risk with any older software.
Can I transfer my license to someone else?
Kontakt 5 legacy licenses are tied to the person who purchased them and cannot be transferred or sold. If you want to give Kontakt 5 to someone else, they would need to purchase their own license.