Dynamics 365 Business Central license key version update
📰 Business Central on-premises licensing now uses a forward-compatible “28+” key for versions 28 and later instead of a new version-specific key for each release.
📅 Effective October 1, 2026, the change also covers on-premises use under online customers’ Dual Use Rights.
👉 Partners still need to download a refreshed key before each upgrade: its download date determines which version’s objects it unlocks, so an older 28+ key is not sufficient for every future release.
💡 Earlier versions keep their version-specific keys, and the product’s major and minor release cadence is unchanged.
Previously
Each release previously used a version-specific key; earlier versions retain that approach.
Partner briefing
- What it is
Forward-compatible Business Central on-premises license keys.
- What’s changing
From October 1, 2026, versions 28 and later use a “28+” key, including Dual Use Rights. A refreshed key is still required before each upgrade.
- Why it matters
A key's download date determines which release objects it unlocks; an old 28+ key does not unlock every future version.
- Who it affects
Business Central partners handling on-premises upgrades or Dual Use Rights.