> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.viesus.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.viesus.com/licensing/activation-key.md).

# Activation Key

An **Activation Key** (also called a Software Key) binds the VIESUS license to a specific machine's hardware. It is used for trials and fixed on-premise machines.

For deployments that need to scale across multiple machines, run in containers/VMs, or move between cloud hosts, see [GUID licensing](/licensing/guid.md) — granted on request when your scenario warrants it.

***

## How it works

Each Activation Key is generated from your machine's hardware profile and is valid only on that exact hardware. The activation process has three steps:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Generate a RequestKey** — a VIESUS tool reads your hardware profile and produces a `requestkey.dat` file.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Send to Viesus AG** — email `requestkey.dat` to <info@viesus.com>.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Receive and apply the ActivationKey** — Viesus AG returns `activationkey.dat` bound to your hardware. Apply it using one of the tools below.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
If the machine hardware changes significantly (CPU, motherboard), the Activation Key becomes invalid. Contact <info@viesus.com> for re-activation.
{% endhint %}

***

## Activation tools

| Tool                | Platform | Usage                                                                           |
| ------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| VIESUS Viewer       | Windows  | `Help → Create License Request` to generate; `Help → Activate License` to apply |
| VIESUS License Tool | Windows  | Standalone offline tool for request and activation                              |
| DongleStatusCmd     | Linux    | Command-line tool from the `viesus-license` package                             |

***

## Step-by-step activation on Windows

VIESUS supports two activation methods on Windows. **Activation file** is the standard route for production deployments. **Web activation** is faster but requires a network connection from the license target machine.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Activation Key" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}

## Create a license request file

Launch the VIESUS License Tool and click **Create Request File**.

<figure><img src="/files/jqeslCUXeyiN715KL5li" alt="Create Request File button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Save with the suggested name.

<figure><img src="/files/rOoMFrS9TzSveJQldNJv" alt="Save license request file dialog"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A green success message confirms the file was created.

<figure><img src="/files/99yqZOvbzDubs5rtLH2y" alt="License request file created confirmation"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Send the request to Viesus AG

The request file is saved to your **Documents** folder by default. Email it to <info@viesus.com>.

Viesus AG will reply with a matching `.dat` activation file.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Load the activation file

When you receive your activation file:

<figure><img src="/files/tupNACOyLyjcyTPjmQlb" alt="Open License Tool to load activation file"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Open the VIESUS License Tool
2. Click **Load Activation File…**
3. Select the `.dat` file you received

<figure><img src="/files/hZxZQg508BDbhGHw1prX" alt="Load activation file dialog"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
The activation file name must match the request file you generated. Mismatched files won't activate.
{% endhint %}

4. Click **Open** to apply.

A confirmation appears at the bottom of the tool.

<figure><img src="/files/VGYrx72PcSmG1fIxO2kl" alt="Activation success message"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Verify the license

Click **License Information** to see your active license details.

<figure><img src="/files/0xcnrz8f0q7dRfAXZp78" alt="License Information button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/0d9Z65FrERj24oSSdMqN" alt="License Information dialog showing license details"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Web activation" %}
Use this method if your license target machine has internet access and you have a License ID.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

## Launch the VIESUS License Tool

<figure><img src="/files/PdcpSex05Ql16sHwUJb5" alt="VIESUS License Tool main window"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Open web activation

Click **License Web Activation** to open the activation dialog.

<figure><img src="/files/USyIH0FP1q0Dv49JeBn0" alt="License Web Activation dialog"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Choose **Activate with License-ID**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Enter your details

Enter your company information and click **Activate License**.

<figure><img src="/files/vkQO7apaW2xIZV3AFnTp" alt="Web activation form"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A green success message confirms activation.

<figure><img src="/files/A3GL7xrfISoX9NtmODlc" alt="Web activation success message"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

## Verify the license

Click **License Information**.

<figure><img src="/files/uUHvLnSM5QpScGnO1vvm" alt="License Information button after web activation"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The dialog shows your license details.

<figure><img src="/files/0d9Z65FrERj24oSSdMqN" alt="License Information dialog showing license details"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## Activation on Linux

Use the `DongleStatus_64_RS` command-line tool from the `viesus-license` package:

```bash
# Generate the request key file (send to info@viesus.com)
DongleStatus_64_RS -r requestkey.dat

# Apply the activation key received from Viesus AG
DongleStatus_64_RS -a activationkey.dat

# Check current license status
DongleStatus_64_RS -s
```


---

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