Files with the extension KEY (full. Software License Key File) are used by software and antivirus developers as a means of preventing the free distribution of their products. In order to activate a licensed copy of a program, any user must enter the corresponding KEY file. Without the software product activation procedure, the application may function partially or not start at all.
As a rule, the structure of a KEY file consists of blocks of encrypted data that are used to check the authenticity of the installed/updated software.
Often, software developers provide the user with some time to test the application for free, after which the system intrusively demands to download the KEY file.
Thus, the main purpose of the .key file is to extend/confirm the user agreement.
Programs to open KEY files
The KEY extension opens on the same software platform that was generated by the developer. For example, Kaspersky or Aida may request a file with the KEY extension during license renewal.
Among the most common antivirus programs for which the KEY file can be adapted are:
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus / Internet Security (Windows OS);
- Avira Free Antivirus (Windows OS);
- Aida(Windows OS);
- iWork Keynote (Mac OS);
- Keynote for iOS (iOS OS);
If the system displays an error when opening a file with the KEY extension, it may mean that either the file is corrupt or you are trying to open it with the wrong program.
Converting KEY to other formats
The KEY format is unique to each commercial software product. Converting it to other formats is not provided.
Moreover, unlicensed copying and distribution of files with the KEY extension is prohibited and prosecuted by law.
Why KEY and what are its advantages?
The benefit of using a KEY file is obvious: to prevent the free distribution of software and anti-virus programs on the Internet. In this case, software developers are pursuing an exclusively commercial goal.
This page explains how you can easily convert a .key file to a PDF file using the free and easy-to-use PDF24 Creator. The described conversion method is free and simple. PDF24 Creator installs a PDF printer, and you can print your .key file on this printer to convert the file to PDF.
What is needed to convert a KEY file to a PDF file or how can you create a PDF version of your KEY file
Files of the KEY type or files with the .key extension can be easily converted to PDF using a PDF printer.
A PDF printer is a virtual printer that can be used just like any other printer. The difference from a regular printer is that a PDF printer creates PDF files. You are not printing on a physical piece of paper. A PDF printer prints the contents of the source file into a PDF file.
This way you can create a PDF version of any file that can be printed. Just open the file using a reader, click the print button, select the virtual PDF printer and click the "Print" button. If you have a reader for the KEY file, and if the reader can print the file, then you can convert the file to a PDF format.
A free and easy-to-use PDF printer from PDF24 can be downloaded from this page. Simply click on the download button to the right of this article to download PDF24 Creator. Install this software. Once installed, you will have a new printing device registered with Windows, which you can use to create PDF files from your .key file or convert any other printable file to PDF.
Here's how it works:
- Install PDF24 Creator
- Open the .key file with a reader that can open the file.
- Print the file on a virtual PDF24 PDF printer.
- The PDF24 Assistant opens a window in which you can save the new file as a PDF, send it by email, fax, or edit it.
An alternative way to convert a KEY file to a PDF file
PDF24 provides several online tools that can be used to create PDF files. Supported file types are being added as they become available, and the KEY file format may also already be supported. The conversion service has various interfaces. Two of them are as follows:
Online PDF Converter from PDF24 supports many files that can be converted to PDF. Simply select the KEY file from which you would like to get a PDF version, click the “convert” button, and you will receive a PDF version of the file.
There is also an E-Mail PDF Converter from PDF24 which can also be used to convert files to PDF format. Just send an email to the E-Mail PDF Converter service, attach the KEY file to this email, and in a few seconds you will receive the PDF file back.
If our system cannot cope with the .KEY extension and all automatic and semi-automatic methods of teaching it this art have failed, we are left with manual editing of the Windows registry. This registry stores all information related to the operation of our operating system, including the connection of file extensions with programs for servicing them. Team REGEDIT inscribed in the window “search for programs and files” or "launch in the case of older versions of the operating system, it gives us access to the registry of our operating system. All operations performed in the registry (even not very complex ones regarding the .KEY file extension) have a significant impact on the operation of our system, so before making any modifications, you should make sure that a copy of the current registry is made. The section we are interested in is the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. The following instructions show, step by step, how to modify the registry, specifically the registry entry containing information about the .KEY file.
Step by step
- Click “start” button
- In the “find programs and files” window (in older versions of Windows this is the “Run” window), enter the command “regedit” and then confirm the operation with the “ENTER” key. This operation will launch the system registry editor. This tool will allow you not only to view existing records, but also to modify, add or delete them manually. Due to the fact that the Windows registry is key to its operation, all operations carried out on it should be performed judiciously and consciously. Carelessly removing or modifying an inappropriate key may permanently damage the operating system.
- Using the ctr+F key combination or the Edit menu and the “Find” option, find the extension you are interested in.KEY by entering it in the search engine window. Confirm by pressing OK or using the ENTER key.
- Backup copy. It is extremely important to create a backup copy of the registry before making any changes to it. Every change has an impact on the operation of our computer. In extreme cases, erroneous modification of the registry may result in the system being unable to restart.
- The value you are interested in regarding the extension can be manually edited by changing the keys assigned to the found extension.KEY. In this place, you can also independently create the desired entry with the extension a.KEY if it is not in the registry. All available options are located in the handy menu (right mouse button) or in the "Edit" menu after placing the cursor in the appropriate place on the screen.
- After you finish editing the entry for the .KEY extension, close the system registry. The introduced changes will take effect after restarting the operating system.
KEY file is corrupted
If, after installing the required program from the list, you still cannot open a file with the KEY extension, the reason may be that it is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the KEY file you are about to open
KEY file extension is not associated with the corresponding application
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the KEY file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your KEY file. Select one of them, or indicate on the disk the location where you installed one of the offers from our list. The Windows system must open the KEY file using a pre-installed program.
The entry relating to the KEY file in the "Windows System Registry" has been deleted or corrupted
The KEY file is infected with a virus
It may happen that a computer virus is filed under the KEY file. In this case, it will probably not be possible to open such a file. Download any good antivirus program and scan the KEY file. If the antivirus program detects dangerous data, this may indicate a KEY file indication.
A file with the key extension can have different contents, varying depending on the program in which it was created and, naturally, on its purpose. This could be a license key file, a registry file, etc. Therefore, in order to find out which program needs to open your key format file, you first need to find out its purpose and where it came from. As usual, at the beginning of the article we will give a brief description of the key file format and what they can be used for, and then we will move on to recommendations for opening such files.
What is the key format used for?
Windows 7 Registry File
In this version of Windows, the key extension serves the same purpose as reg in earlier versions. This file contains information from . To add it to the registry, you need to double-click on the file.
However, you must be extremely careful when working with such files: they may contain virus programs. Therefore, make sure that the file is downloaded from a reliable site.
You can open such a file, for example, in Notepad, and see exactly what changes will be made to the system registry.
License key
Used to activate a licensed copy of the application. This file contains a string with an encrypted key, which allows you to verify the authenticity of the software.
Since KEY is used by various applications, a specific file is opened by a specific program. For example, it could be Avira or Kaspersky. Most often, when requesting a license, you are required to indicate where the key file is located.
Keyboard Layout Files
Sometimes key files are used to configure files that control the keyboard layout, certain keyboard shortcuts, and other keyboard-related settings. Often such files are used in computer games.
Apple Keynote presentations
KEY files in Mac OS are used to store presentations created by Keynote, an analogue of MS PowerPoint.
Keynote runs on MAC OS, and presentations created with it will not open on Windows. Essentially, these files are similar to Power Point presentations.
A key file created in Keynote can contain slides with images, text, or converted presentations.
KEYs are also used in some games as resource files.
So, to open a key file, you need to determine what purpose it is intended for. If this is a license key, then you won’t be able to open it just like that - it is actually necessary for correct activation, without which normal operation of the application is impossible. If this is a registry file, then any text editor will be enough to familiarize yourself with the changes being made to the system, and opening a key of this type will not be difficult - when you double-click on such a file, the operating system will display a warning window, after approving which, the changes will be made to registry.
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