What is product activation?

Product activation is a way to make sure that Symantec programs are legally licensed. A product that is not activated within 15 days stops working.

How is a product activated?

When you install a Norton product from a CD, you are asked for your product key, which is found on the CD sleeve. This product key is sent to a Symantec server, and your product is activated.

When you install a Norton product that you bought at the Symantec Store, the product key is built into the product. This product key is sent to a Symantec server, and your product is activated.

To learn how to activate your product, read the document How to activate your Norton product.

Is there a grace period to enter the product key?

You have 15 days to activate a product with the product key. After 15 days, your product no longer works.

Do I need to activate my product again if I reinstall it?

Usually not. Under some circumstances, such as if you have formatted your hard drive and reinstalled your operating system, you have to type in the product key and activate again.

What hardware changes can I make to my computer before reactivation is required?

The hardware changes that may trigger reactivation vary from one computer to another computer. Typically, a product needs reactivation if you change your computer's motherboard or hard drive.

How does product activation work with Norton Ghost?

The best plan is to install and activate the program and then create a Ghost image of the hard disk. Then you will not need to reactivate the product if you reimage the hard disk.

What do I do if I get a new computer?

If you buy a new computer and want to use your product on it, uninstall the product from your old computer and install it on your new computer. When asked during installation for the product key, type it in. 

The product activation is set up to allow you to activate a single copy of the product multiple times so that you can easily transfer the product to a new computer.

How is my privacy affected by product activation?

The product activation process was set up in a way that protects your privacy. Product activation does not ask for you to enter any personal information. The only information sent to Symantec is the product key and a made-up hardware identifier that represent the computer. Neither the product key nor the hardware identifier has any personally identifiable information that can be traced back to you. The hardware identifier cannot be used to determine the make or model of a computer or its components.

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