On activation, your server returns this encoded string as a .key or .lic file. When your application starts, locate the activation file and validate it.
uses Winapi.Windows, System.SysUtils, System.Classes; function GetMachineID: string; var VolumeSerial: DWORD; MaxCompLen, FileSysFlags: DWORD; RootPath: string; ComputerName: array[0..MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1] of Char; Size: DWORD; begin RootPath := 'C:'; GetVolumeInformation(PChar(RootPath), nil, 0, @VolumeSerial, MaxCompLen, FileSysFlags, nil, 0); Size := MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1; GetComputerName(ComputerName, Size); Result := Format('%d-%s', [VolumeSerial, string(ComputerName)]); end; ⚠️ Note: For production, combine multiple identifiers (MAC address, processor ID) to avoid false positives. On your server (or within an admin tool), encrypt the machine ID along with expiration date and features. Use System.NetEncoding and a strong cipher (e.g., Delphi's TCipher_AES from System.Encryption ). file activation delphi 2016
if CalculatedHash <> HashPart then Exit; On activation, your server returns this encoded string as a