# Custom path to the license file

Use this guide to change the default license directory to a custom one.

1\. Install the latest package using the [Installation](/v6.12.0/deployment/installation.md) guides.

Skip the license activation step.

2\. After successful installation, stop AppServer.

3\. Navigate to the AppServer folder and open the **AppServerX.xml** file for editing.

4\. Add the **PathToServiceFilesDirectory** tag to the root tag of **AppServerX.xml**.

This sets the base directory for the license file and other service data (for example, **Resources/**).

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Linux" %}
Default path:

* **/var/lib/WebSpellChecker/**

Example:

```xml
<!-- Example: use a custom directory for service files -->
<PathToServiceFilesDirectory>/opt/License</PathToServiceFilesDirectory>
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
Default path:

* **C:/ProgramData/WebSpellChecker/**

Example:

```xml
<!-- Example: use a custom directory for service files -->
<PathToServiceFilesDirectory>C:/License</PathToServiceFilesDirectory>
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

5\. Save changes and start AppServer for the changes to take effect.

6\. Activate licensing using one of the [Licensing](/v6.12.0/deployment/licensing.md) guides.

{% hint style="success" %}
Upon successful license activation, you should find **license.xml** here:

* **\<PathToServiceFilesDirectory>/license/license.xml**
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
`PathToServiceFilesDirectory` changes the base path for other service files too.

It also changes the location of additional **Resources**, including Hunspell dictionaries.

If you change `PathToServiceFilesDirectory`, move the **Resources/** directory into the new location:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Linux" %}
From the default Resources path:

* **/var/lib/WebSpellChecker/Resources/**

To the new path:

* **\<PathToServiceFilesDirectory>/WebSpellChecker/Resources/**
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
From the default Resources path:

* **C:/ProgramData/WebSpellChecker/Resources/**

To the new path:

* **\<PathToServiceFilesDirectory>/WebSpellChecker/Resources/**
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}
  {% endhint %}


---

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