'Authentication timed out or cancelled' error when activating desktop tools

If you see this error when trying to activate a Redgate desktop tool, it may be because the browser window is being suppressed and blocking the activation. 

• Try using a different browser
• Add the endpoints in this article to your firewall AllowList: Licensing update URLs to add to your AllowList in firewall

If this doesn't help, click the 'sign in' button. If you're using the most recent version of the tool, you'll see a message indicating that you can open a browser manually if one hasn't opened. 

• Click the button to copy the address
• Open a web browser
• Paste the copied address into the address bar
• Sign in

NB: You will need to keep the sign-in screen open while you do this, don't press the cancel button.

If you are using a different user to open SSMS, add the following steps: 

 Open C:\Program Files (x86)\Red Gate\<product name>

• Hold Shift + right click mouse “RedGate.SQLDoc.UI.exe” and select “Run as different user”
• Attempt sign in
• Click the button to copy the address
• Open a web browser
• Paste the copied address into the address bar
• Sign in