licensnøgle

A license key, also known as a product key, is a unique alphanumeric code used to authorize the use of software or other digital products. It serves as a form of digital rights management, ensuring that only users who have purchased the software can use it. License keys are typically provided to customers upon purchase or download, and they must be entered into the software during the installation or activation process.

The format of a license key can vary depending on the software vendor, but it usually consists of a series of groups of letters and numbers separated by hyphens or other delimiters. For example, a common format is XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX, where X can be a letter or a number.

License keys are used to prevent software piracy and to enforce licensing agreements. They help software vendors track the number of active installations and ensure that users have the right to use the software. In some cases, license keys may also include additional information, such as the version of the software or the expiration date.

There are different types of license keys, including:

- Retail keys: These are typically included with physical copies of software and are designed to be used only once.

- OEM keys: These are pre-installed on computers by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and are designed to be used only on the specific hardware they are installed on.

- Volume keys: These are used for large-scale software distribution, such as in corporate environments, and may have different licensing terms and conditions.

In some cases, software may be activated using a different method, such as an online activation process that requires an internet connection. However, license keys remain a common and widely used method of software authorization.