Master Secret Key Import Failed Due to Existing Different Key File

Sep 8, 2026
Knowledge

Title

URL Name

000305258

Article Number

000305258

Environment

Product: WhatsUp Gold Versions: WUG v26, v26.0.1, v26.0.2

Question/Problem Description

During the Master Secret Key import process, WhatsUp Gold displays an error indicating that the encrypted key file (C:\PROGRA~2\Ipswitch\WhatsUp\Data\wug.dat) already exists and contains a different Master Secret Key. The application blocks the import operation to prevent incompatibility with data encrypted using the currently installed key.

MSK import blocked because the existing wug.dat file contains a different Master Secret Key and cannot be overwritten.

Steps to Reproduce

Clarifying Information

Error Message

The encrypted Master Secret Key file already exists and contains a different key. • Importing a different key will cause compatibility issues with existing data encrypted using the existing key. • If you must import a different key (e.g. restoring database originally from a server that used a different key): 1. Perform the "Export Key" operation and securely save the exported key for future use. 2. If you planned to restore databases originally from a server that used a different Master Secret Key that you try to import, restore the databases first using NmConsole.exe before continuing further. This is especially if your WhatsUp Gold is FIPS enabled - Otherwise you will not be able to log into NmConsole.exe to restore databases once you remove or rename the existing key file, or import the different key. 3. Rename or remove the existing key file. 4. Re-try "Import Key." • After importing a different key, you will need to: 5. Re-run RemoteDbConfig.exe to establish database connection for WhatsUp Gold. 6. Unless you restored databases created with the imported Master Secret Key, reset web users' passwords via NmConsole.exe. 7. Unless you restored databases created with the imported Master Secret Key, re-enter all your passwords in Credentials library and other areas of WhatsUp Gold. 8. Restart WhatsUp Gold services and Internet Information Services (IIS). You may also need to restart Windows to completely clear out the old key. The existing file will not be overwritten. File: C:\PROGRA~2\Ipswitch\WhatsUp\Data\wug.dat

Defect Number

Enhancement Number

Cause

MSK import blocked because the existing wug.dat file contains a different Master Secret Key and cannot be overwritten.

Resolution

• Stop the Ipswtich Services and IIS services on the WhatsUp Gold (WUG) server.

• Navigate to the WUG installation directory and locate the wug.dat file (Program Files (x86)\Ipswtich\WhatsUp\Data\wug.dat).

• Rename the file from wug.dat to wug.dat.old.

• Start the Ipswitch and IIS services.

• Import the Secret Key on the new server.

• Remap the database connection by running RemoteDBConfig.exe and MigrationUtility.exe from the WUG installation directory:

• Restart the server.

Workaround

Notes

Keyword Phrase

The encrypted Master Secret Key file already exists and contains a different key

Last Modified Date

9/8/2026 12:40 PM

Master Secret Key Import Failed Due to Existing Different Key File

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