How do I resolve “Security Error: System time has been altered (H0045)” in Hatch Embroidery?

Applies to: Hatch Embroidery V3 and V4

This error occurs when Hatch Embroidery’s licensing system (Sentinel HASP) detects a change to your computer’s system time.

1. Check your date and time zone

1. Close Hatch Embroidery.

2. Open Windows Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.

3. Turn on Set time automatically.

4. Check that your Time zone matches your current location and that the displayed date and time are correct.

2. Synchronize your Windows clock

1. Open Control Panel > Date and Time.

2. Select the Internet Time tab, then click Change settings.

3. Select Synchronize with an Internet time server.

4. Enter time.windows.com or time.google.com in the Server field.

5. Click Update now and wait for confirmation that synchronization was successful.

6. Click OK, restart your computer, then open Hatch Embroidery again.

Additional troubleshooting 

These steps are separate from the system-time checks above.

1. Close Hatch Embroidery.

2. Open Windows Settings > Windows Update, check for updates and install any available updates. Restart your computer if prompted.

3. Open File Explorer.

4. Copy the folder path for your version below into the address bar, then press Enter.

   Hatch Embroidery V4:
   C:\ProgramData\Wilcom\Hatch Embroidery\Hatch Embroidery 4

   Hatch Embroidery V3:
   C:\ProgramData\Wilcom\Hatch Embroidery\3

5. Delete only the CEF folder inside that location.

6. Reopen Hatch Embroidery

Note: The ProgramData folder is hidden by default. You can access it by pasting the path into File Explorer’s address bar, or follow Microsoft’s instructions for showing hidden files and folders.

If the problem continues, let Support know which steps you completed and what happened.