Microsoft Forefront Protection 2010 for SharePoint (FPSP) is initially installed as a fully functional 120-day evaluation version. After 120 days, the evaluation version of FPSP ceases to clean, delete, or block detected malware files or filter matches (that is, the action for these features is reset to Skip detect). In addition, scan engines no longer update.

Note:
If you have an existing previous license, you will have full rights to FPSP. However, when FPSP is installed on a server that had a licensed previous version of the product, the previous license information is not recognized. In this scenario, you must re-activate FPSP and re-enter the license information after installing FPSP. You can find your product licensing information on the “agreements” page on the Microsoft Volume License Services (MVLS) site.

Activating or renewing a subscription license

You can convert an evaluation license to a subscription license by activating the product. Be sure to have the product key available when activating FPSP. After the product is activated, you can also align when your product expires with your license agreement, and easily renew your license by entering a new expiration date.

To activate or renew a subscription license

  1. Access the Forefront Protection 2010 for SharePoint Administrator Console by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, pointing to Microsoft Forefront Server Protection, and then clicking Forefront Protection for SharePoint Console.

  2. In the License Notice dialog box, click Activate Now. (Alternatively, you can select Activate Now from the Help menu).

  3. In the Product Activation dialog box, type your Product Activation Key, and then click OK.

    Note:
    If you have already activated the product and are simply renewing your product license, you can skip this step.

  4. In the Product License Agreement and Expiration dialog box:

    1. Enter your seven-digit License Agreement Number.

    2. Enter your license Expiration Date. By default, the expiration date is three years from the current activation date.

    3. Verify that the date accurately reflects your current license agreement and then click OK.

After activating your subscription license, you cannot revert back to an evaluation license. When your product license nears expiration (from 30 days before the product expires), you are sent notifications informing you of this fact along with links that enable you to easily purchase a new license. When the product nears its expiration, you should renew your contract and enter the new license information into the Product License Agreement and Expiration dialog box, (which can be accessed via the View/Renew License option on the Help menu). If the product is not activated before the product expires, the product reverts to the behavior described above and you are sent daily notifications informing you of this fact.