How to move ESET to a new computer and keep your licence

A new laptop, a Windows reinstall or a broken PC: how to free a seat in your ESET licence and activate it on the new device.

An ESET licence isn't tied to specific hardware but to a number of devices. So when you replace a computer you don't need a new licence: just free the seat the old device was using and activate the same key on the new one. Below are three typical situations.

Situation 1. The old computer still works

1. Uninstall ESET on the old PC via Settings → Apps → ESET → Uninstall. Uninstalling frees the seat in the licence.
2. Remove other antivirus programs on the new PC if the laptop maker pre-installed them. Two protectors at once conflict.
3. Install ESET from your ESET HOME account or the download page.
4. Activate the same key. The term stays the same — no resets and no extra payments.

Situation 2. The old computer is gone

The PC broke, was stolen or was sold without uninstalling ESET. You can't uninstall the program on it, so free the seat through your account:

1. Sign in to ESET HOME.
2. Open the devices section and find the old computer.
3. Disconnect it from the subscription: ESET HOME deactivates the product on that device and the seat is freed.
4. Install and activate ESET on the new PC.

If the licence isn't in ESET HOME yet, add it with the key. Then every device it's activated on will appear in the list.

Situation 3. Reinstalling Windows on the same PC

To the licence, a reinstalled system looks like a new device. It's best to uninstall ESET before reinstalling. If you didn't, you may see error ACT.15 or ACT.39 after activation. In that case disconnect the old entry in ESET HOME and activate again. Other codes are covered in the article on ESET activation errors.

Switching from Windows to Mac or Android

It all depends on the product in your licence:

• ESET HOME Security Essential or Premium — a multi-platform subscription: a seat freed on Windows can be used by a Mac or an Android device. The installer for the platform you need is in ESET HOME.
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus — Windows only. For a Mac you need a HOME Security subscription; for Android — Mobile Security or HOME Security.

What moves over and what doesn't

• Moves over: the key, the term, the number of devices in the licence.
• Doesn't move automatically: program settings (exclusions, firewall rules). If you changed them, export the settings on the old PC under “Import and export settings” and load them on the new one.

When you need an extra licence

If the old device stays in use (for example, a kids' laptop) and needs protection too, but the licence has no free seats, increase the number of devices. For HOME Security the easiest time is at renewal: write to us and we'll put together the right configuration. You can also buy a separate subscription in the catalogue.