How to change ArcGIS Desktop product level license with arcpy?

Question

I need to change product level in python scripts to help ensure users do not hold on to advanced (arcInfo) licenses.

It appears easy to check in/out extensions: arcpy.CheckInExtension("3D")

How do I set a users license from ArcInfo (equivalent to an ArcGIS Desktop Advanced license) to ArcView (equivalent to an ArcGIS Desktop Basic license)?

Thank you!

JohnWaterman · Answer

Legacy:

The product level should be set by importing the appropriate product module (arcinfo, arceditor, arcview, arcserver, arcenginegeodb, or arcengine) prior to importing arcpy. The SetProduct function is a legacy function and cannot set the product once arcpy has been imported.

For scripts using the arcgisscripting module, the equivalent SetProduct method is still supported.

JohnWaterman · Answer

Some very lazy people are holding onto Advanced licenses.  I need an automated way to check these back in so others can use the Advanced licenses.

JoshuaBixby · Answer

SetProduct—ArcMap | Documentation .  Note, there are some very specific steps to using this function.

In general, the user's current license is used when ArcPy is imported, so I don't understand why you would be wanting to set the license from Advanced to Basic.  Or, are you wanting to change the license for the local installation of ArcGIS Desktop?