> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.osdeploy.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.osdeploy.com/guide/registration.md).

# Required Community Registration

Register an OSDeploy PC with a free Recast Software Community License.

Download and import a free Recast Software Community License, then use `Show-OSDeployLicense` to confirm that OSDeploy can discover and validate it. Complete registration before running a gated OSDeploy update command directly.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A valid Recast Software Community License is required for direct calls to `Update-OSDeployCore`, `Update-OSDeployCoreESD`, `Update-OSDeployCoreRE`, `Update-OSDeployCoreDrivers`, `Update-OSDeployBootProfilePreview`, and `Update-OSDeployBootISO`. The Core update commands called immediately by `Invoke-OSDeployHydration` use the hydration exception. This requirement does not apply to standalone use of the OSDCloud or legacy OSD modules in WinPE.
{% endhint %}

## Register the OSDeploy PC

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Download the Community License

1. Open the [Recast Software Community Portal](https://portal.recastsoftware.com/).
2. Create an account or sign in.
3. Download the license ZIP for **Right Click Tools Community Edition**.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Import the License

Open PowerShell 7.6 or later as an administrator. Set `$LicenseFile` to the downloaded ZIP or an extracted `.license2` file, then import the license:

```powershell
$LicenseFile = 'C:\Path\To\CommunityLicense.zip'
Import-OSDeployLicense -LicenseFile $LicenseFile
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
Run `Import-OSDeployLicense` as an administrator. The function requires write access to the Recast Software license directory under `ProgramData`.
{% endhint %}

For ZIP input, the function extracts the archive and selects a contained `.license2` file. It validates the selected license, displays the proposed changes, and asks for confirmation before importing it. After a successful import, it displays the installed license using `Show-OSDeployLicense`.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Verify the License

Verify the installed license:

```powershell
Show-OSDeployLicense
```

For detailed discovery and validation behavior, see [Show-OSDeployLicense](/guide/cmdlets/show-osdeploylicense.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

After `Show-OSDeployLicense` returns a valid license, continue to [Install Required Software](/guide/basic/install-osdeploysoftware.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.osdeploy.com/guide/registration.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.