# Activate A Desktop Server
To activate space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME as a desktop server, you will need your space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME administrator username and activation code and the `zeedrive.exe` executable file which you can [download from here](https://docs.zeedrive.com/resources/download).
If the space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME subscription is administered from a [Partner Subscription](https://docs.zeedrive.com/partner-guide), then you will need your space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME *partner username* and activation code. During the activation process you will be prompted to choose which Customer Subscription to activate.
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Double click the `zeedrive.exe` executable to launch the wizard then click the Next button
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Enter your administrator username and activation code. As previously mentioned, if the subscription is administered from a Partner Subscription then enter your partner username and activation code instead. Click the Verify button to check your details then click the blue "hot desk computer or desktop server" link
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The busy indicator will show whilst space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME checks whether the server is already activated
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After the status has been checked, click the Next button
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This step will show for Partner Subscriptions only; if you entered your partner username and activation code then after clicking Next from the previous step, your customer subscriptions will be listed. Select the subscription that you want to activate then click the Next button
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Enter a name to identify the server on the space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME subscription. It must be unique within the space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME subscription. The name will default to the computer name but you can change it to something else. When ready, click the Validate button. If you get the green tick mark, click the Next button to continue
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We're activating as a desktop server, so select the "Activate this computer as a desktop server" option. Click Next
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If you have already activated a different desktop server, then you can optionally join this desktop server to the existing licence pool associated with the other desktop server. I.e. multiple desktop servers can be joined to the same licence pool. In this walkthrough, we'll create a new licence pool. Select the Next button
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Enter the number of licences for the licence pool. The minimum number of Shared Computer licences for a licence pool is 2. You can only assign a maximum number of licences you have available on the subscription. After entering the number of licences for the licence pool, click the Next button
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You're ready to activate. Click the Activate button to confirm
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{% step %} space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME will now install to the computer and activate as a desktop server, the busy indicator will show during this process
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After successful activation, a green tick mark will show. space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME will now start-up automatically when users sign in to the server. Click the Exit button to close the wizard. You can optionally [check the server has been configured correctly](https://docs.zeedrive.com/administration-guide/deploying-to-desktop-servers/validating-a-successful-activation) after the activation process
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