they will email you the license key, like oppa Rashkae said, and when you need to reinstall LR into your new computer or reformat your C drive, you don't have to worry when you've keep the box, just go to adobe site download the same version of lightroom with latest patch, activate it with your license key will do.Thanks! Maybe next time when I purchase again, I may take the digital download version...(Didn't know how it works, so I always buy with the box...)