Koby,
Hopefully, I can help here a little. And, I may have one thing wrong, because, frankly, it is a little confusing. There are two reasons this has become so confusing.
First, is that AC made two big changes at once. Part of that wasn't their fault. They didn't foresee the issue with the new higher encryption. But, given that it became a problem, we were all trying to wrap our heads around two very new requirements we hadn't had to deal with before.
Second, while I still find Jon Bertman to be one of the greatest geniuses I have ever known (I mean learning C++ or whatever programming language, reading books larger than servers on Access and somehow designing a program all WHILE has had a full time practice), he still had ideas that on the business side were somewhat rudimentary. Read his first EULA if you want to see. Think about it. I have installed multiple versions of AC on multiple computers at one office, then multiple computers and servers at another office, in sandboxes, VMs and at home. Simple. But crazy. Almost all software you purchase nowadays requires an activation key. And, if you try to move your OS or Adobe or even add one of the key components that MS counts toward a new hardware configuration, have fun on the phone with them getting your activation up and running.
As a case in point, I just downloaded the home version of MBAM as MSE wasn't quite doing its job. I decided to use the trial version which is a full version of the product. I have two weeks. At the end of those two weeks, most of the functionality will stop working, and I will be offered the opportunity to purchase a license. That license will likely be sent to me in an email to copy and paste into the program. It will be specific to that computer. I can take the same installer and use it on my laptop, but I will have to get another key. So, imagine how much cheaper and easier it would be for me to send an email to MBAM and say, "New license please."
So, basically, AC is now doing what should have been done ten years ago. They are simply allowing you to activate AC and SQL on a new computer. My guess is they don't even mind if you install it on your laptop, tablet or home computer. You can still get the key sent to your office where it matches your licensed email. So, yes, go ahead and install AC to every computer you think you may need to use. But, remember, that is only giving you insurance so you can change instantly to that computer. As far as elective changes, it won't be that hard to wait on support. Even if it were an emergency, you would likely have little issue getting a key quickly. Hell, and Chris will hate me for this, but I would be emailing Chris. So, that is part one. The free installation key.
As to the .enc file, version 9.2 is looking for a higher encrypted backup file. In order for it to accept an .enc backup file from 8.2.4, it will need to be "credentialed" not "certified" a minor detail but important. Once, the new software version is credentialed and has been restored with the older backup, all subsequent backups will be 9.2 or higher backups and they will not need to the special tool.
The thing that may be cool would be if you had the special tool, if you could use it anytime you wished.
BUT WE ARE ALL MISSING THE BIG POINT HERE: Something I have rebelled against since v1. Unless I am dreaming, Chris referred to support as CS support. Customer Service support. I think we are finally getting away from Guardian Angel.
