Your Windows Licence Has Expired Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Your Windows Licence has Expired?
"Your Windows Licence has Expired" is a fake error message that attempts to trick users into purchasing a valid activation key. It is distributed via various adware-type applications falsely claiming to provide a number of 'valuable functions'.
These applications usually infiltrate systems without users' consent. Furthermore, adware tracks Internet browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements.
This fake error message locks computer screens and encourages users to call the telephone number provided (+1-888-303-5121). Victims are then be asked to purchase a genuine Windows activation key, however, this error message is a scam - developers attempt to trick users into buying the key and solving a problem that does not exist.
All claims regarding expired versions are false and paying will not deliver any positive results - you will simply support developers' malicious businesses and lose your money. Furthermore, adware-type apps that promote this scam often display intrusive online advertisements that conceal underlying content of users' visited websites.
Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites - clicking them is risky and can result in further computer infections. In addition, adware records various data relating to users' Internet browsing activity including IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and search queries.
This information might be personally identifiable and shared with third parties who often misuse it to generate revenue. Data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, if you encounter "Your Windows Licence has Expired" error message, ignore all requests to contact/pay and immediately uninstall all suspicious applications.
There are hundreds of adware-type applications - all very similar. For example, that apps such as CurveLayer, USB Locker, BrowsingGuard, etc. offer different functions, however, all have similar behavior. These applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Adware generates intrusive online ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), causes unwanted browser redirects (to generate traffic for various sites), and collects personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties). All claims to enhance the web browsing experience are attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
How did Your Windows Licence has Expired install on my computer?
Adware-type applications are usually distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software. Research shows that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps.
Aware of this, developers intentionally hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures. By skipping this section, users expose their systems to risk of various infections. Note that developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed adware and, therefore, these installation are never properly disclosed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be aware that potentially unwanted programs are often distributed using the bundling method. Therefore, analyze each step of the download and installation processes. Furthermore, all offers to download/install additional applications must be declined. Bundled software is often rogue and should never be installed.
- Victims of this scam can enter this code - 8716098676542789 to unlock their computers for free. No need of calling the cyber criminals behind this scam.
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Quick menu:
- What is Your Windows Licence has Expired?
- STEP 1. "Your Windows Licence has Expired" virus removal using safe mode with networking.
- STEP 2. "Your Windows Licence has Expired" ransomware removal using System Restore.
"Your Windows Licence has Expired" virus removal:
Step 1
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Go to the Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click on Advanced Startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window select Advanced Startup. Click on the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into "Advanced Startup options menu".
Click on the "Troubleshoot" button, then click on "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen click on "Startup settings". Click on the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press "5" to boot in Safe Mode with Networking Prompt.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button.
In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Step 2
Log in to the account infected with the Your Windows Licence has Expired "Your computer has been blocked" virus. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.
Video showing how to remove ransomware virus using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and "System Restore":
1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.
2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.
3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.
4. In the opened window, click "Next".
5. Select one of the available Restore Points and click "Next" (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the Your Windows Licence has Expired ransomware virus infiltrating your PC).
6. In the opened window, click "Yes".
7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remnants of the Your Windows Licence has Expired "Your computer has been blocked up for safety reasons" virus.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (or with Command Prompt), boot your computer using a rescue disk.
Some variants of ransomware disable Safe Mode making its removal complicated. For this step, you require access to another computer. After removing "Your computer has been blocked up for safety reasons" virus from your PC, restart your computer and scan it with legitimate antispyware software to remove any possible remnants of this security infection.
Other tools known to remove the Your Windows Licence has Expired "Your computer has been blocked up for safety reasons" virus:
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