| Issue | Solution |
|--------|-----------|
| “Invalid username/password” | Double‑check for typos. Usernames usually start with EAV-, ESS-, EIS- |
| No “Convert” option in ELA | Your license might already be a license key. Check the license details. |
| Conversion fails | Your license may be tied to an old ESET Business Account. Contact support. |
Sometimes, the old Username/Password pair might be tied to a discontinued product (e.g., ESET Smart Security 6) or has expired. If the online methods fail:
Older third-party tools (e.g., ESET KeyFinder, License Extractor) claimed to extract a License Key from an installed legacy product. These are obsolete, unsafe, and often malware-ridden. ESET’s modern licensing prevents such extraction.
As of 2026, ESET no longer issues new licenses in the Username/Password format. All new purchases, trials, and renewals are strictly License Key based. The conversion window is still open for legacy users, but it is wise to convert today. ESET has not announced a hard cutoff date for the old activation servers, but eventually, the "convert username and password to license key new" feature will be obsolete.
Prepare your info
Try automatic conversion in your ESET product
Use the ESET License Management Portal (if product conversion doesn’t appear)
If you don’t have portal access or conversion options
Activate product using the new license key eset convert username and password to license key new
Q: Does converting change my expiration date? A: No. Converting a Username/Password to a License Key does not add or remove days. It simply changes the format. Your expiration date remains exactly the same.
Q: I lost my Username/Password. Can I still get a License Key? A: If you have the license installed on a PC, you can retrieve it. Open ESET > Help and support > About. Your Username might be partially visible. If not, contact support with your original purchase receipt.
Q: Is the new License Key transferable between devices? A: Yes, and it is easier than before. In your ESET HOME dashboard, you can remotely deactivate a lost/stolen computer and immediately activate a new one using the same License Key.
Q: What if I only have an old .lic file?
A: The .lic file is an offline license file. You cannot convert it directly. Instead, install ESET, import the .lic file, then within the software, go to Help > Manage License > Convert to License Key (this option exists in version 10+). Method 3: Contact ESET Support (For Failed Conversions)
Struggling with the old "Username/Password" format for your ESET product? You are not alone.
For decades, ESET—the renowned Slovak cybersecurity company behind NOD32 and Smart Security—distributed licenses using a two-part credential system: a Username (often starting with "EAV-" or "EIV-") and a Password (a random alphanumeric string). However, over the last few years, ESET has been aggressively migrating its entire ecosystem to a more modern, centralized system: the License Key (also known as the Activation Key).
If you have an old license invoice, a dusty CD envelope, or an email from 2020 containing only a Username and Password, you need to perform a "convert ESET username and password to license key new" operation. This guide will walk you through every method available in 2026, explain why this change is necessary, and help you troubleshoot common errors.