Definition, synonyms and related words
A small program used to generate a key, such as a cryptographic key or a key used to unlock a trial version of software illegitimately.
"Users often rely on unreliable keygens to bypass the license check and unlock the full features of trial software."
In plain English: A keygen is a small program that creates fake license keys to unlock software without paying for it.
"He spent hours trying to find a working keygen for that new game but couldn't make it generate any codes."
Usage: The term is almost exclusively associated with creating unauthorized access codes for pirated software and carries strong negative connotations in professional contexts. Avoid using it when referring to legitimate license generators; instead, specify "license generator" or "activation tool."
Keygen is a shortened form of the phrase "key generator." The term entered English as a convenient abbreviation to describe software that creates license keys or activation codes.