Merge pull request #3061 from telerik/emphasize-auto-license-file-download

Emphasize auto license file download

Author: martinivanoff

getting-started/licensing/images/vsx-download-license-key-file.png

@@ -8,55 +8,75 @@ published: True
 position: 0
 ---
 
-# Installing License Key
+# Installing Your License Key
 
-Starting with the 2025 Q1 release, the UI components from the WPF library require activation through a license key (trial or commercial). This article describes how to download your personal license key and use it to activate the WPF UI components.
+Starting with the 2025 Q1 release, the UI components from the WPF library require activation through a license key (trial or commercial). This article describes how to download your personal license key and use it to activate the WPF UI components. An invalid license results in [errors and warnings]({%slug license-activation-errors-and-warnings%}) during build and run-time indicators such as watermarks and banners.
 
-An invalid license results in [errors and warnings]({%slug license-activation-errors-and-warnings%}) during build and run-time indicators such as watermarks and banners.
+To download a license key for Telerik UI for WPF, you must have either a developer or trial license. If you are new to Telerik UI for WPF, sign up for a [free trial](https://www.telerik.com/try/ui-for-wpf) first, and then follow the steps below.
 
-## Downloading the License Key
+Depending on your development environment and preferences, you can install your license key in either of the following ways:
 
-To download a license key for Telerik UI for WPF, you must have either a developer or trial license. If you are new to Telerik UI for WPF, sign up for a [free trial](https://www.telerik.com/try/ui-for-wpf) first, and then follow the steps below.
+* [*Automatic installation*](#automatic-license-key-installation) for projects with NuGet references—suitable for developers using Telerik productivity tools like the Telerik extensions for Visual Studio and the Progress Control Panel.
+* [*Manual installation*](#manual-license-key-installation) for projects with NuGet references—suitable for trial users and developers who prefer to manage their projects and Telerik product versions manually.
+* [*Manual installation for projects using assembly references (no NuGet packages)*](#adding-a-license-to-projects-using-telerik-assembly-references-no-nuget-packages)—suitable for developers who cannot use NuGet references in their projects and use the Telerik DLLs instead.
 
-1. Go to the [License Keys](https://www.telerik.com/account/your-licenses/license-keys) page in your Telerik account.
+## Automatic License Key Installation
 
-1. Click the __Download License Key__ button.
- 
-	![Picture showing the License Keys page](images/installing-license-key-0.png)
+Telerik provides tools that automatically provision your license key. These tools include the [Telerik UI for WPF Visual Studio extensions]({%slug radcontrols-for-wpf-vs-extensions-overview-wpf%}) and the [Progress Control Panel](https://docs.telerik.com/controlpanel/introduction).
+
+### Installing a License Key with the VS Extensions
+
+To install your license key by using the [Telerik UI for WPF Visual Studio extensions]({%slug radcontrols-for-wpf-vs-extensions-overview-wpf%}):
+
+1. Open Visual Studio.
+1. Go to **Extensions** > **Telerik** > **Licensing** > **Download Key**.
+
+  ![Download a license key file in the VS extensions for WPF](images/vsx-download-license-key-file.png)
 
-> The [Progress Control Panel](https://www.telerik.com/download-trial-file/v2/control-panel) and the [Visual Studio Extensions]({%slug radcontrols-for-wpf-vs-extensions-overview-wpf%}) will automatically download and store your license key in the `%appdata%\Telerik` directory. This makes it available for all projects developed on the local machine.	
+The Visual Studio extension puts the file in your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`), which activates the WPF components.
 
-## Activating the UI for WPF Components
+### Installing a License Key with the Progress Control Panel
 
-To activate the UI for WPF components:
+To install your Telerik License Key by using the [Progress Control Panel](https://docs.telerik.com/controlpanel/introduction), start the application. It automatically downloads your license key file to your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`), which activates the WPF components.
 
-* Copy the [downloaded](#downloading-the-license-key) `telerik-license.txt` license key file to your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`). This makes it available for all projects developed on the local machine.	
+## Manual License Key Installation
 
-* Alternatively, copy the `telerik-license.txt` license key file to the root folder of your project. This makes the license key available only to this project. Do not commit the file to source control as this is your personal license key.
+To manually download and install a license key for Telerik UI for WPF:
+
+1. Go to the [License Keys](https://www.telerik.com/account/your-licenses/license-keys) page in your Telerik account.
+
+1. Click the __Download License Key__ button.
+
+	![Picture showing the License Keys page](images/installing-license-key-0.png)
+
+1. Copy the downloaded `telerik-license.txt` license key file to your home directory (`%appdata%\Telerik`). This makes it available for all projects developed on the local machine.
+
+Alternatively, copy the `telerik-license.txt` license key file to the root folder of your project. This makes the license key available only to this project. Do not commit the file to source control as this is your personal license key.
 
 When you build the project, the `Telerik.Licensing` NuGet package automatically locates the license file and uses it to activate the product. If your project doesn’t use NuGet packages, see [Adding a License Key to Projects without NuGet References](#adding-a-license-key-to-projects-without-nuget-references).
 
-## Adding a License Key to Projects without NuGet References
+## Adding a License to Projects Using Telerik Assembly References (no NuGet packages)
 
 Telerik strongly recommends the use of NuGet packages whenever possible. Only include the license key as a code snippet when NuGet packages are not an option.
 
-If you cannot use NuGet packages in your project, add the license as a code snippet:
+If you add the Telerik components to your project by referencing the Telerik assemblies, you must add the license to the project as a code snippet:
 
 1. Go to the [License Keys](https://www.telerik.com/account/your-licenses/license-keys) page in your Telerik account.
 
-1. On the Progress® Telerik® UI for WPF row, click the __View key__ link in the __SCRIPT KEY__ column. 
+1. On the Progress® Telerik® UI for WPF row, click the __View key__ link in the __SCRIPT KEY__ column.
 
-1. Copy the C# code snippet into a new file, for example, `TelerikLicense.cs`. 
+1. Copy the C# code snippet into a new file, for example, `TelerikLicense.cs`.
 
-1. Add the `TelerikLicense.cs` file to your project. 
+1. Add the `TelerikLicense.cs` file to your project.
 
-	Do not publish the license key code snippet in publicly accessible repositories. This is your personal license key.
+>Do not publish the license key code snippet in publicly accessible repositories. This is your personal license key.
 
 ## Updating Your License Key
 
-Whenever you purchase a new Telerik UI for WPF license or renew an existing one, always [download a new license key](#downloading-the-license-key). The new license key includes information about all previous license purchases. This process is referred to as a license key update. Once you have the new license key, use it to [activate the components](#activating-the-ui-for-wpf-components).
+Whenever you purchase a new Telerik UI for WPF license or renew an existing one, always download and install a new license key by using the [automatic](#automatic-license-key-installation) or the [manual](#manual-license-key-installation) approach. The new license key includes information about all previous license purchases. This process is referred to as a license key update.
+
+## See Also
 
-## See Also  
 * [License Activation Errors and Warnings]({%slug license-activation-errors-and-warnings%})
 * [No License Found - Troubleshooting]({%slug kb-licensing-no-license-found-message%})
 * [Adding the License Key to CI Services]({%slug installing-license-to-ci-services%})