> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.abbyy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activating with a Runtime License - Windows

> Activate the ABBYY FineReader Engine library on Windows with a Standalone, Network, or Online Runtime License based on protection type and installation mode.

<Note>
  This topic also exists for [Linux](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-linux/activating-the-library-linux) and [macOS](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-macos/activating-the-library-macos).
</Note>

The second step of distribution of applications using the ABBYY FineReader Engine library is activation of the library with the Runtime License.

If you use a [Standalone](/fine-reader/engine/licensing#standalone_network) Runtime License, activation is performed on the workstation where the ABBYY FineReader Engine library is installed. If you use a [Network](/fine-reader/engine/licensing#standalone_network) Runtime License, you should activate ABBYY FineReader Engine on a network server — a computer which will manage and distribute licenses among workstations in a network. You can also set up a [redundant configuration](/fine-reader/engine/licensing/working-with-the-licensingsettingsxml-file#redundancy) using two license servers. If you use a Runtime [Online License](/fine-reader/engine/licensing#protection_types), no activation is required but you should verify that connections to the ABBYY Online licensing services are allowed and check that the GoDaddy root certificate is installed in the local machine version of the Trusted Root Certification Authorities certificate store on the computer with the Licensing Service installed.

You will need to use one of the variants described in the table below. The selection depends on your license protection type and the mode of the ABBYY FineReader Engine library installation.

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2"><p><strong>Protection Type</strong></p></th><th colspan="2"><p><strong>Mode of Library Installation</strong></p></th></tr><tr><th><p><strong><a href="/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/installing-the-library-windows/installing-the-library-in-automatic-mode">Automatic</a></strong></p></th><th><p><strong><a href="/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/installing-the-library-windows/installing-the-library-in-manual-mode">Manual</a></strong></p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p><strong><a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing#protection_types">software</a></strong></p></td><td><ol><li value="1">Run the <a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing/license-manager-utility">License Manager</a> utility.</li><li value="2"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing/activation">Activate</a> a license.</li></ol></td><td><ol><li value="1">Install the <a href="/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/activating-the-library-windows/installing-the-licensing-service-on-windows">Licensing Service</a>.</li><li value="2">Run the <a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing/license-manager-utility">License Manager</a> utility and activate a license.</li></ol><p>Consider using it from the <a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing/license-manager-utility/working-from-the-command-line">command line</a>, which allows you to activate the license in silent mode.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong><a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing#protection_types">online</a></strong></p></td><td><p>License activation is not required. <a href="/fine-reader/engine/licensing/working-with-the-licensingsettingsxml-file#redundancy">Redundant configuration</a> is not available. Verify that you allow connections to \*.abbyy.com on port 443 (HTTPS). Check that the GoDaddy root certificate is installed in the local machine version of the Trusted Root Certification Authorities certificate store.</p></td><td><ol><li value="1">Install the <a href="/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/activating-the-library-windows/installing-the-licensing-service-on-windows">Licensing Service</a>.</li><li value="2">Verify that you allow connections to \*.abbyy.com on port 443 (HTTPS). License activation is not required.</li><li value="3">Check that the GoDaddy root certificate is installed in the local machine version of the Trusted Root Certification Authorities certificate store.</li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table>

## See also

[Installing the ABBYY FineReader Engine Library in Automatic Mode](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/installing-the-library-windows/installing-the-library-in-automatic-mode)

[Installing the ABBYY FineReader Engine Library in Manual Mode](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/installing-the-library-windows/installing-the-library-in-manual-mode)

[Distribution Kit](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/distribution-kit)

[Licensing](/fine-reader/engine/licensing)