Generate a fresh ETKey file and place it in your Enemy Territory profile folder. This helps players who cannot retrieve keys from old PunkBuster services.
What Is an ETKey?
An ETKey is a local identity file used by Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory clients. If it is missing or invalid, some servers may not track your player identity correctly. This page creates a fresh key file you can place in your etmain folder.
Safe Use: Keep one ETKey per player profile/device and do not share your key publicly. Generate a new key only when your current key is missing, corrupted, or blocked.
First-Time Setup in 60 Seconds
- Click Generate ETKey and save the downloaded file exactly as etkey (no extension).
- Close Enemy Territory before replacing the key file.
- Copy the downloaded file into your game profile folder:
Windows: ET\etmain\etkey
Linux: ~/.etwolf/etmain/etkey - Launch the game and join a server to confirm your new key works.
- If download is blocked, allow popups/downloads for this page and try again.
How to Verify It Worked
1. Start Enemy Territory and open console with ~.
2. Join any server and play for a minute.
3. Exit game and confirm the file still exists at etmain/etkey and is not empty.
2. Join any server and play for a minute.
3. Exit game and confirm the file still exists at etmain/etkey and is not empty.
Common Issues and Fixes
- File saved as etkey.txt: rename it to etkey (no extension).
- Wrong folder: place it inside etmain, not in a mod folder.
- Permission denied on Linux: run chmod 600 ~/.etwolf/etmain/etkey.
- Browser blocks download: allow downloads for this page and retry.
- Wrong folder: place it inside etmain, not in a mod folder.
- Permission denied on Linux: run chmod 600 ~/.etwolf/etmain/etkey.
- Browser blocks download: allow downloads for this page and retry.
FAQ
Do I need to create a new key every time?
No. Keep one stable key unless it becomes invalid or missing.
No. Keep one stable key unless it becomes invalid or missing.
Can I use the same key on multiple machines?
It is better to keep one key per machine/profile to avoid identity conflicts.
It is better to keep one key per machine/profile to avoid identity conflicts.
Where should the file go?
Place it in etmain of your active ET profile path.
Place it in etmain of your active ET profile path.
Why is the key downloaded without extension?
That is correct. The file name should be exactly etkey.
That is correct. The file name should be exactly etkey.
How do I back up my etkey to Google Drive or OneDrive?
Create a folder like ET Backups in Google Drive or OneDrive, then copy your etkey file into it after generating. Keep one dated copy (example: etkey-2026-04-11) so you can restore it later by renaming it back to etkey and placing it in etmain.
Create a folder like ET Backups in Google Drive or OneDrive, then copy your etkey file into it after generating. Keep one dated copy (example: etkey-2026-04-11) so you can restore it later by renaming it back to etkey and placing it in etmain.