fortigate update without license

You can not upgrade your device without a license. When you start the upgrade process, FortiGate will contact FortiGuard services for any subscription, and if missing, the upgrade will fail.

A license is mandatory for the upgrade process.

How did it get v7.4.7 on that FGT if the license has expired 6 years ago??

A clean install with TFTP can help you install the image. But it can not help you have the services that subscription provides: security profiles, IPS, AV, ISDB etc.

Hi AlexReviewit,

In FortiOS 7.4.2 and above, enforcement of an active FortiGate firmware license to allow firmware upgrades and downgrades has been improved. Enforcement is based on the expiry date of the current firmware license compared to the release date of the first GA release of a major version. For example, for FortiOS 7.4.x firmware upgrades, enforcement is based on the expiry date of the current support contract compared to the release date of FortiOS 7.4.0 GA.

Therefore, upgrades and downgrades between major, minor, and patch versions are only allowed if the firmware license is valid relative to the release date of the first GA release of a major version. If the firmware license expiry date is earlier than the firmware first GA major release date, then the firmware update to that version will not be allowed.

You need to buy a support contract. You are not entitled to upgrades without one.

Please refer to the documents below for more information:

https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.0/new-features/107956/prevent-firmware-upgrade-depending-on-the-current-firmware-licenses-expiration-date-7-4-2

https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.2/administration-guide/299518/preventing-fortigates-with-an-expired-support-contract-from-upgrading-to-a-major-or-minor-firmware-release-new

If you have found a solution, please like and accept it to make it easily accessible to others.

Regards,
Aman