Download the ESET installer on each computer, run it and activate it with your licence. On the ESET PROTECT tiers you instead create one installer in ESET’s cloud console and run it on every device, so they all show up in one place. Each laptop, desktop, server or phone needs its own licence.
Before you start
- Count your devices. ESET licences are per device, per year. A person with a laptop and a phone uses two; servers count as devices.
- Have your licence details ready. In the client area, open the ESET service under Services. If you can’t find the licence details there, ask us on WhatsApp.
- Remove other antivirus first. Two antivirus programs on one computer slow it down and conflict. You don’t need to remove Windows’ built-in Microsoft Defender: it steps aside by itself once ESET is running.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus (no console)
- On the computer, download the ESET NOD32 Antivirus installer for Windows or macOS from ESET’s website, eset.com.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts.
- When asked how to activate, choose to use a purchased licence key and enter it.
- Let the first update finish, then run a full computer scan.
- Repeat on each computer.
ESET PROTECT tiers (with the cloud console)
- Sign in to the ESET PROTECT cloud console. Ask us whether your console has already been set up and how you sign in.
- Create an installer. In the console, use the Installers section (or Add device) to make an all-in-one installer for Windows, macOS or Linux, linked to your licence.
- Run the installer on each computer, or email the download link to staff who work from home.
- On a Mac, allow ESET’s system extension and Full Disk Access when macOS asks, under System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Back in the console, check that each device appears and shows as protected. A device that never appears usually didn’t finish installing.
Install on office Wi-Fi rather than mobile data: the installer and the first virus-database update can be large, and they download again on every computer.
- Which tier do I need?
- If laptops leave the office, PROTECT Advanced ($75 a device a year) adds full disk encryption and ransomware remediation. If everyone works on desktops in one office, PROTECT Entry ($55) is enough. NOD32 ($16.50) suits a few computers with no central console. See ESET security.
- Does it cover phones?
- Mobile threat defence is included from PROTECT Advanced up. NOD32 covers Windows and macOS only.
For ESET’s own step-by-step guides, see ESET Online Help. Still stuck? Open a support ticket or message us on WhatsApp +263 73 563 9917, Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 CAT.
Updated 6 November 2026. Something here out of date? Tell us.