About the license key

A license key (hereinafter also referred to as simply "key") is a sequence of bits with which you can activate and subsequently use the application in accordance with the terms of the End User License Agreement. A key is generated by Kaspersky experts.

You can add the license key to the application in one of the following ways:

• Apply a key file
• Enter the activation code

After you add a license key to the application, the license key is displayed in the application interface as a unique alphanumeric sequence.

After adding keys, you can replace them with other keys.

Kaspersky can black-list a key over violations of the End User License Agreement. If the license key has been blocked, you need to add another one if you want to use the application.

Kaspersky Security uses the following types of license keys:

• Server key. An application key that is used to protect virtual machines running server operating systems.
• Desktop key. An application key that is used to protect virtual machines running desktop operating systems.
• Key with a limitation on the number of processor cores. An application key for protecting virtual machines regardless of the operating system installed on them. In accordance with the licensing restrictions, the application is used to protect virtual machines running on hypervisors that use a certain number of physical processor cores.
• Key with a limitation on the number of processors. An application key for protecting virtual machines regardless of the operating system installed on them. In accordance with the licensing restriction, the application is used to protect all virtual machines running on hypervisors that use a certain number of processors.

A license key may be active or reserve.

An active key is a key currently in use to run the application. A trial license key, commercial license key (commercial key), or subscription key can be added as the active key. No more than one active key of each type (server key, desktop key, key with a limitation on the number of processor cores, key with a limitation on the number of processors) can be added on each SVM. If an SVM is used in a virtual infrastructure for the protection of virtual machines running server operating systems and desktop operating systems, you need to add two keys to the SVM: a server key and a desktop key.

A reserve key is a key that confirms the right to use the application, but is not currently in use. The reserve key automatically becomes active when the license associated with the current active key expires.

A reserve key can be added only if the active key of the same type is available. The active key and the reserve key must match the same type of license.

A trial license key or a subscription key can be added only as the active key. A trial license key or a subscription key cannot be added as a reserve key. A trial license key cannot replace the active commercial key.