--- title: "What is a private key?" slug: "what-is-a-private-key" tags: ["Central Management", "Private Key"] updated: 2025-08-07T09:43:26Z published: 2025-08-07T09:43:26Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.anydesk.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # What is a private key? With the help of a Private Key, you can unlock the Central Management features. Central Management lets you adjust Client Settings in real time. By enabling Central Management in [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2), you gain the ability to edit your customized builds or individual clients assigned to your license and see those updates immediately on installed clients. > [!NOTE] > 🦉 For more details about Central Management, see [**this article**](/docs/what-is-full-client-management). --- ## Why do I need Private Key? If you want to use Central Management features, you will need to provide the **Private Key** after each time you sign in to [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2). All changes made from [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2) to authorized clients are securely signed with a **Private Key**. A Private Key is a secret password that is used to unlock and access important information or keep it secure. It is a unique code that only the owner of the license knows and should keep private. > [!CAUTION] > 🚨 **IMPORTANT** > > The Private Key is only generated once and cannot be recovered if lost. It is important to securely save and store your Private Key. --- ## How does a Private Key look like? The Private Key is generated in [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2). Go to the **Dashboard**and click **Generate Private Key**. On the opened window, you will be able to copy and download the Private Key that was generated for you. ![Instructions for saving a private key in Dynamic Client Management interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/b94c9ac2-20ec-4c7e-b325-135b0ed113f9/Images/Documentation/private key.png) The Private Key is saved in *.pem* file format and should look the following way: ![A blurred text document displaying a private key with beginning and ending markers.](https://cdn.document360.io/b94c9ac2-20ec-4c7e-b325-135b0ed113f9/Images/Documentation/private key notepad.png) --- ## How do I use the Private Key? If you want to use Central Management features, first, you need to generate a Private Key, download and copy it, and then provide the Private Key in [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2) after every login when you want to use the features. To provide the Private Key in [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2): 1. Sign in to [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2) and in the **Activate Central Management** section, click **Provide Private Key**. 💡 *You can also click ![](https://7940397.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7940397/image-png-Jun-30-2023-10-18-04-5790-AM.png) in the upper-right corner near the notification bell.* 2. Paste the **Private Key** in the text field and click **Continue**. ![AnyDesk dashboard showing client management feature and private key input prompt.](https://cdn.document360.io/b94c9ac2-20ec-4c7e-b325-135b0ed113f9/Images/Documentation/enable client management .png) You can view whether Central Management is activated in [my.anydesk II](https://my.anydesk.com/v2) in the upper-right corner near the notification bell: | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/b94c9ac2-20ec-4c7e-b325-135b0ed113f9/Images/Documentation/Dynamic client icon.png) | Central Management is deactivated as the Private Key was not provided. | | --- | --- | | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/b94c9ac2-20ec-4c7e-b325-135b0ed113f9/Images/Documentation/dynamic client green icon(1).png) | Central Management is activated, and the Private Key was provided. | > [!NOTE] > 🦉 To learn how to activate Central Management, see [**this article**](/docs/activate-central-management). A unique code generated for unlocking Central Management features in AnyDesk, allowing real-time adjustments to client settings. A feature that allows administrators to adjust client settings in real time, enabling immediate updates to installed clients without needing to reinstall them. Configuration options available in AnyDesk that allow users to customize security settings, session preferences, and more. ## Related - [What is Central Management?](/what-is-full-client-management.md) - [Activate central management](/activate-central-management.md) - [What happens if I lose my Private Key?](/what-happens-if-i-lose-my-private-key.md) - [What are dynamic client configurations?](/what-are-dynamic-client-configurations.md)