> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.soraco.co/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.soraco.co/docs/api-reference/.net-api/qlmlicense/client-side-methods/validatelicenseex.md).

# ValidateLicenseEx

### Description

Validates a computer-bound license key.

```csharp
string ValidateLicenseEx (string computeKey, string ComputerID)
```

### Arguments

| Name        | Data Type | Description                |
| ----------- | :-------: | -------------------------- |
| computerKey |   string  | computer-bound license key |
| computerID  |   string  | computer identifier        |

### Return

| Data Type | Description                                                                                                                            |
| :-------: | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   string  | A message indicating the result of the validation. Do not parse this message. Use GetStatus to get the exact status of the validation. |

### Remarks

Prior to calling this function, you must:

* Call [DefineProduct](/docs/api-reference/.net-api/qlmlicense/client-side-methods/defineproduct.md)
* Set the PublicKey property

You can call this function for any type of license key. If the license key is not computer-bound, set the ComputerID to an empty string.

After calling this function, call [GetStatus ](/docs/api-reference/.net-api/qlmlicense/client-side-methods/getstatus.md)to get the status of the call.

### Example

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```csharp
string returnMsg = license.ValidateLicenseEx(licenseKey, computerID);
bool ret = false;
bool needsActivation = true;

int nStatus = (int)license.GetStatus();

if (IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyInvalid) ||
    IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyProductInvalid) ||
    IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyMachineInvalid) ||
    IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyExceededAllowedInstances) ||
    IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyTampered))
{
    // the key is invalid
    ret = false;
}
else if (IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyVersionInvalid))
{
    // wrongProductVersion
    ret = false;
}
else if (IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyDemo))
{
    // The key has an expiry date

    if (IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyExpired))
    {
        // the key has expired
        ret = false;        
    }
    else
    {
        // the key is still valid
        ret = true;
        // call license.DaysLeft to get the remaining days
    }
}
else if (IsTrue(nStatus, (int)ELicenseStatus.EKeyPermanent))
{
    // the key is valid and permanent
    ret = true;
}

if (ret == true)
{

    if (license.IsActivationLicense (license.LicenseType))
    {
        needsActivation = true;
        ret = false;
    }                
}
```

{% endcode %}