What is a key file and an activation code for Kaspersky business solutions
You can activate Kaspersky solutions for business using an activation code or a key file. The key file or activation code gives you the license certificate.
The scope of services and application validity period depend on the type of license under which the application has been activated. The following license types are available:
- Trial. A free, time-limited license which allows to get acquainted with the application. Some Kaspersky applications can automatically activate a trial license when installing for the first time. You cannot reactivate a trial license once it has expired. It is also not possible to activate a trial license after applying other license types.
- NFR (Not For Resale). A free license with a specific validity period used for getting acquainted with the application and for test deployments. The license is available upon request. You can activate an NFR license after applying any other license type.
- Commercial. A paid-for license which is provided when the application is purchased.
What is a key file, activation code and license certificate
What is an activation code?
An activation code is a unique set of 20 characters of the following type: ХХХХХ-ХХХХХ-ХХХХХ-ХХХХХ. Internet access is required for activating with the activation code.
What is a key file?
A key file is a file of the following type: xxxxxxxx.key, which is used for activating Kaspersky business solutions offline.
What is a license certificate?
The License Certificate contains the following license information:
- Order number
- Information about the license user
- Information about the application that can be activated with the license
- Restrictions on the number of devices on which the application can be used under the license
- License start date
- License expiry date
- License type
How to purchase a commercial license
You can purchase Kaspersky solutions for business online on our website or from our partners.
You can buy the following applications on the Kaspersky website:
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business Advanced
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business Select
- Kaspersky Security for Mail Server
- Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateway
- Kaspersky Security for Microsoft Office 365
You can also buy Kaspersky Small Office Security, but you cannot activate this application with a key file. Kaspersky Small Office Security can be activated only with an activation code.
How to determine the license expiration date
The license term is set at the time of its creation by the vendor and does not depend on the date of its initial use in Kaspersky applications nor on the date when the administrator receives the key files.
Find out the license expiration date:
- In the license certificate file.
- Through your Kaspersky CompanyAccount after the license has been added.
- In the Kaspersky application interface where the license is used.
What happens when the commercial key file term expires
After the expiry of the commercial license, application components will switch to the limited functionality. You can use protection and management components or run malware scans using the databases of the applications installed before the license expires.
To continue using all the features of the application, renew the commercial license term or buy a new one.
You can renew a license on the Kaspersky website:
- Kaspersky Small Office Security
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business Advanced
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business Select
- Kaspersky Security for Mail Server
- Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateway
- Kaspersky Security for Microsoft Office 365
Kaspersky does not guarantee protection against threats after the license term of the solution has expired. We recommend that you renew your license before the existing license expires to ensure a seamless switch to a new license and maximum protection for your device.
What to do if you experience issues using an activation code
If problems occur when using an activation code, do the following:
- Visit Online Help for your application.
- Make sure that Kaspersky activation servers are available from your network.
- Make sure that encrypted connection scanning between your device and Kaspersky servers is disabled if your infrastructure uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) or traffic decryption and analysis technologies (SSL inspection) as part of third-party security solutions.
If problems occur when activating Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Windows or Kaspersky Security Center for Windows, use the following recommendations:
If the issue persists, use a key file for offline activation of the application instead of an activation code.