When you purchase McAfee software, you get a subscription that lets you install and use the software on a certain number of PCs for a certain period of time. The length of your subscription depends on your purchase, but usually starts when you activate your software.
If you purchase your software from the McAfee website, you do not have to activate your product; however, if you purchase your software from a retail store or through a McAfee partner (like Dell or Acer), you must activate after installing your product. Activation is quick and simple — all you need is an Internet connection — but it's very important because it entitles you to receive regular, automatic updates that keep your PC protected against the latest threats.
If you purchase your software from a retail store or through a McAfee partner, you are prompted to activate your product during the installation process. If you decide to wait (for example, if you don't have an Internet connection), you have 15 days to activate. If you don't activate within 15 days, your software no longer receives critical updates or performs scans.
You can also monitor your subscription by reviewing your McAfee account to verify that your subscription is up to date. If your subscription expires, you can renew it at any time.