With desktop software you get up to five federal e-files----all are linked to ONE online TT account. If you were hoping to give the license key to someone else, they will also need YOUR online TT account information. You cannot just give out your license key to other people.
The license key allows you to download and use the software on computers that YOU own. If you want to allow a friend or family member to use your software, let them use it on a computer that YOU own.
The Download program is EXACTLY the same Desktop program as the CD. You buy it the same way directly from Turbo Tax or in stores like Costco. When you installed the CD you still had to go online to update it. It's only the method you use to install it. Even when I bought the CD I used the download method to install it.
The confusion people have is that the Online version is NOT the Download program.