Software license key and activation in Windows Application

Jyoti Jodha

9y6.2kWindows Forms

I am creating Windows application in c#, but i am facing problem, how to provide Software license key and activation

, if any user will buy my product he can run only not other.

provide me best article for license key

EX :-

azsx5-edsd5-sdsd5-rtwer (key) ,

aabba-avvt5- fg4tt- fdf54 (activation code).

5 Replies

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Rajkiran Swain9y ago
This is just a example . you can find it out from google .
Jyoti Jodha9y ago
Hello

Rajkiran Swain
You have any code like this....??
Rajkiran Swain9y ago
Please check the following code to get the unique Processor ID of a system:
public string GetMachineId()
    {
        string cpuInfo = String.Empty;
        ManagementClass managementClass = new ManagementClass("Win32_Processor");
        ManagementObjectCollection managementObjCol = managementClass.GetInstances();
        foreach (ManagementObject managementObj in managementObjCol)
        {
            if (cpuInfo == String.Empty)
            {
                cpuInfo = managementObj.Properties["ProcessorId"].Value.ToString();
            }
        }
        return cpuInfo;
    }
Rajkiran Swain9y ago
Product Key generation depends upon the level of security you need for your application.

One approach could be to hardcode some keys within your program. When the user runs your program for the first time, prompt him to enter the product key. If the product key entered by him matches with one of the list of product keys then allow the user to the next screen else show an error message and exit the application. In this approach, an user having the valid key, can run the application in any number of system.

You can also make your product machine dependent by reading some unique values from the system like Processor ID, Hard Drive Serial No. etc. and generate a different key for depnding upon that unique ID. In this case your program will be system dependent and the user will need different key for running your program in different system.
Jitendra Shekhawat9y ago
Are you talking about generating a serial number and give it to your customers so they can enter it when they install your application? Using "serial key" seems like confusing some members.
To generate serial numbers, you have to come up with an algorithm.
For example, you can generate a key based on today's date, add some part of your network IP, some your own hardcoded text and so on. Based on this algorithm, your Setup program or your exe has to look back for the same algorithm to verify if the serial number is correct.
Besides this, you can also verify these numbers from your server. This will require users to have an Internet and while installing or running (you choose when), application will connect to the server and verify key in your server database and if match found, continue.
Good luck!

Software license key and activation in Windows Application

Rajkiran Swain