The eLicenser Control Center is the desktop software used to manage Steinberg’s (and related third-party) copy protection licenses. It communicates with both (virtual licenses stored on your hard drive) and USB-eLicensers (physical dongles, often called "Steinberg Key").
The biggest complaint: frequent maintenance prompts. You’ll often launch Cubase only to see: "A problem with the license activation has been detected. Please start the eLicenser Control Center to perform a maintenance." You then run maintenance, which takes 30 seconds, and everything works again. Why? No one knows. It’s infuriating. elicenser control center steinberg
You can no longer activate or download new licenses using activation codes. The eLicenser Control Center is the desktop software
If your eLicenser is not recognized or you encounter errors: eLicenser Control Center - License Management which takes 30 seconds