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Update > Download licence key
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Update license-key.md
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56 changes: 43 additions & 13 deletions licensing/license-key.md
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---
title: Setting Up Your License Key
page_title: Setting Up Your License Key
description: Learn how to activate the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms components by downloading and setting up your Telerik components license key.
description: Learn how to activate the Telerik UI for WinForms components by downloading and setting up your Telerik components license key.
slug: license-key
tags: WinForms,components,license,activate,download
position: 1
---

# Setting Up Your Telerik UI for .NET WinForms License Key
# Setting Up Your Telerik UI for WinForms License Key

Starting with the __Q1 2025 release__, the UI components from the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms library require activation through a license key (trial or commercial). This article describes how to download your personal license key and use it to activate the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms components.
Starting with the __Q1 2025 release__, the UI components from the Telerik UI for WinForms library require activation through a license key (trial or commercial). This article describes how to download your personal license key and use it to activate the Telerik UI for WinForms components.

An invalid license results in [errors and warnings]({%slug license-errors-warnings%}) during build and run-time indicators such as watermarks and banners.

## Downloading the License Key

To download a license key for Telerik UI for .NET WinForms, you must have either a developer license or a trial license. If you are new to Telerik UI for .NET WinForms, sign up for a [free trial](https://www.telerik.com/try/ui-for-WinForms) first, and then follow the steps below.
To download a license key for Telerik UI for WinForms, you must have either a developer license or a trial license. If you are new to Telerik UI for WinForms, sign up for a [free trial](https://www.telerik.com/try/ui-for-WinForms) first, and then follow the steps below.

Depending on your development environment and preferences, you can install your license key in either of the following ways:

* [Automatic installation](#automatic-license-key-installation) - suitable for developers using Telerik productivity tools like the Telerik extensions for Visual Studio and the Progress Control Panel.
* [Manual installation](#manual-license-key-installation) - suitable for trial users and developers who prefer to manage their projects and Telerik product versions manually.

>note Update your license key whenever you [renew or purchase a new Telerik license](#updating-your-license-key).

### Automatic License Key Installation

To download and install your Telerik license key automatically, you can use either of the following Telerik productivity tools. They can automatically download and store the license key in your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`) and make it available for all projects that you develop on your local machine.
These tools include [Telerik UI for WinForms Visual Studio extensions](#installing-a-license-key-with-the-vs-extensions) and [Telerik Control Panel](#installing-a-license-key-with-the-progress-control-panel)

#### Installing a License Key with the VS Extensions

To install your license key by using the [Telerik UI for WinForms Visual Studio extensions]({%slug winforms-installation-deployment-and-distribution-visual-studio-extensions%}):

1. Open Visual Studio.
1. Go to **Extensions > Telerik > Licensing > Download Key**.

![Installing a License Key with the VS Extensions](./images/install-license-key-VS-extensions.png)
1. You might be asked to enter your Telerik credentials to log into your [Telerik account](https://www.telerik.com/account/).

The Visual Studio extension automatically downloads the license key file to your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`), which activates the Telerik WinForms components.


#### Installing a License Key with the Progress Control Panel

To install your Telerik License Key by using the [Progress Control Panel](https://docs.telerik.com/controlpanel/introduction), start the application. It automatically downloads the license key file to your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`), which activates the Telerik WinForms components.

### Manual License Key Installation

1. Go to the [License Keys](https://www.telerik.com/account/your-licenses/license-keys) page in your Telerik account.

1. Click the **Download License Key** button.

![Download a Telerik UI for .NET WinForms License Key](./images/download-license-key.png)
![Download a Telerik UI for WinForms License Key](./images/download-license-key.png)

> The [Progress Control Panel]({%slug installing-from-progress-control-panel%}), [automated installers]({%slug winforms/installation-deployment-and-distribution/installing-on-your-computer%}), and the [Visual Studio Extensions]({%slug winforms-installation-deployment-and-distribution-visual-studio-extensions%}) will automatically download and store your license key in your home directory. This makes it available for all projects that you develop on your local machine.

## Activating the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms Components
## Activating the Telerik UI for WinForms Components

To activate the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms controls:
To activate the Telerik UI for WinForms controls:

1. Copy the [downloaded](#downloading-the-license-key) `telerik-license.txt` license key file to your home directory. This makes the license key available to all projects that you develop on your computer:

* For Windows: `%AppData%\Telerik\telerik-license.txt`
* For Mac/Linux: `~/.telerik/telerik-license.txt`
* Alternatively, copy the `telerik-license.txt` license key file to the root folder of your project. This makes the license key available only to this project. Do not commit the file to source control as this is your personal license key.
* Alternatively, copy the `telerik-license.txt` license key file to the root folder of your project. This makes the license key available only to this project. Do not commit the file to source control, as this is your personal license key.

1. Download the `Telerik.Licensing` NuGet package from [NuGet.org](https://www.nuget.org/). It will add the **Telerik.Licensing.Runtime** assembly in your project which is required to activate the WinForms controls.
1. Download the `Telerik.Licensing` NuGet package from [NuGet.org](https://www.nuget.org/). It will add the **Telerik.Licensing.Runtime** assembly in your project, which is required to activate the WinForms controls.

When you build the project, the `Telerik.Licensing` NuGet package automatically locates the license file and uses it to activate the WinForms controls.

Expand All @@ -49,9 +79,9 @@ If you cannot use NuGet packages in your project, add the license as a code snip

1. Go to the [License Keys page](https://www.telerik.com/account/your-licenses/license-keys) in your Telerik account.

1. On the Telerik UI for .NET WinForms row, click the **View key** link in the **SCRIPT KEY** column.
1. On the Telerik UI for WinForms row, click the **View key** link in the **SCRIPT KEY** column.

![Download a Telerik UI for .NET WinForms Script Key](./images/download-script-key.png)
![Download a Telerik UI for WinForms Script Key](./images/download-script-key.png)

1. Copy the C# code snippet into a new file, for example, `TelerikLicense.cs`.

Expand All @@ -68,4 +98,4 @@ Whenever you purchase a new Telerik UI for WinForms license or renew an existing

* [License Activation Errors and Warnings]({%slug license-errors-warnings%})
* [Adding the License Key to CI Services]({%slug add-license-to-ci-cd%})
* [Frequently Asked Questions about Your Telerik UI for .NET WinForms License Key]({%slug licensing-faq%})
* [Frequently Asked Questions about Your Telerik UI for WinForms License Key]({%slug licensing-faq%})