How to activate an ESET licence
To activate an ESET licence you'll need the licence key or the ESET HOME account the subscription is linked to. Before you start, make sure the device has the current version of the product and is connected to the internet.
After payment, the licence key is sent automatically to the email you gave. You can activate the licence directly in the ESET program or through your ESET HOME account. If you use several devices, managing licences through ESET HOME is more convenient and lets you control protection on all connected devices in one place.
Common activation problems
If the licence won't activate, check that the key was entered correctly, that the subscription is still valid and that the product matches the licence you bought. If you get errors, contact support with the error message text and your licence details.
Two ways
- 1Option 1: with the key in the programOpen your ESET product → “Activate” → enter the key from the email.
- 2Option 2: through ESET HOMEAdd the subscription with your key in your home.eset.com account and activate all your devices from one place. You can also see the expiry date, the number of devices and the protection status of each one.
Activating through ESET HOME lets you manage all your devices centrally, see licence details, add new devices and renew your subscription on time. All your protection information is kept in one personal account.
FAQ
New computer — how do I move the licence?
Uninstall ESET from the old device or disconnect it in ESET HOME, then activate the same key. Step by step here.
The program shows an ACT or ECP error
Each code has a specific cause: a seat is taken, the network, the clock or another antivirus. The codes and fixes are in the article “ESET activation errors”.
Why isn't my key accepted?
Check that similar characters aren't mixed up (0/O, 1/I) — it's best to copy the key from the email. If that doesn't help, write to us.
Can I activate it later?
Yes, but it's better to activate straight away: the licence term runs from the day of purchase (when the key was issued), not from activation. The expiry date is shown in your ESET HOME account.