About 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 Lab.

You can add a license key to the application in one of the following ways: apply a key file or enter an activation code. After you add a 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 Lab 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 – Application key that is used to protect virtual machines running server operating systems.
• Desktop key – 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. Under the licensing restrictions, the application is used to protect all virtual machines that run on the hypervisors, which use a certain number of kernels in their physical processors.
• Key with a limitation on the number of processors – an application key for protecting virtual machines regardless of the operating system installed on them. Under the licensing restriction, the application is used to protect all virtual machines running on hypervisors that use a certain number of processors.

For Kaspersky Security, you can also use the universal license key intended for Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business. This key lets you protect a certain number of virtual machines regardless of the operating system installed on them.

The Universal key for the Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business application is available not in all regions. Contact Kaspersky partner that sold you a license for information about the capability to use this key.

A license key may be active or kept as a backup.

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 can be added on one 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 license type and license edition.

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.