topic Windows License Will Expire Soon in Electronics

Windows License Will Expire Soon

smoky22 — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:34:16 GMT

We received a strange message on our desktop computer: Your Windows license will expire soon. I think there was more, but the message disappeared. Something about entering an activation key. We had Windows 7 forever. It came with the computer. Then we did the free upgrade to Windows 10. We have never had an activation key that I'm aware of. Is anyone familiar with this? What do we need to do?

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

Catty2 — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:41:18 GMT

I would ignore it since it sounds like a scam. My computer also came with Windows 7 and I've never seen an email like this.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

NickNack — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:55:39 GMT

I would never reply to or do anything that a message that popped up on my computer told me to do. It would probably allow whoever sent it to access your computer. It sounds like a scam.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

qbetzforreal — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 23:01:05 GMT

It's a scam.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

CatLady72 — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 23:10:10 GMT

I got this mesage on my phone.........a tape recording......my windows still works so I know it was a fake......

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

gardenman — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:43:14 GMT

It was probably a scam. Anytime you need your activation code, you can typically find it on the back of a desktop or the bottom of a laptop. Every legitimate copy of Windows comes with a sticker with that code on it that's required to be placed on the computer.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

Cats3000 — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:06:45 GMT

Sounds like a scam. I've never heard of a "Windows License". I do know that "Office 365" has to be renewed each year, but I've never heard of the other thing. Don't click on any links or enter any "activation keys". Go to the Windows website and see what you find.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

chrystaltree — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 23:03:11 GMT

I agree. You should never ever pay attention to strange pop up messages that don't make any sense. The fact that the message flashed and then disappeared is pretty much proof that it wasn't legit.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

smoky22 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 04:32:02 GMT

@Cats3000 wrote:
Sounds like a scam. I've never heard of a "Windows License". I do know that "Office 365" has to be renewed each year, but I've never heard of the other thing. Don't click on any links or enter any "activation keys". Go to the Windows website and see what you find.

@Cats3000 I did go to the windows website and it looks like there may be a glitch. Windows did an update two days ago and the message started appearing after that. The message came up again today. When I go to the screen where you would activate the Windows license it says we have Windows 10 Pro, which apparently does need a license. I don't know how we would have gotten Windows Pro. Windows 10 upgraded automatically last year from Windows 7 Home Edition. I don't know if the last Windows update caused this glitch but I'm researching how to uninstall the last update and see if that helps.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

Cats3000 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:30:51 GMT

I don't do Windows; I have an iMac. That said, I'm glad you did your checking. At least you have some idea of what's going on. Maybe those who use Windows can help you from here.

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

gardenman — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:36:13 GMT

@smoky22 wrote:
@Cats3000 wrote:
Sounds like a scam. I've never heard of a "Windows License". I do know that "Office 365" has to be renewed each year, but I've never heard of the other thing. Don't click on any links or enter any "activation keys". Go to the Windows website and see what you find.
@Cats3000 I did go to the windows website and it looks like there may be a glitch. Windows did an update two days ago and the message started appearing after that. The message came up again today. When I go to the screen where you would activate the Windows license it says we have Windows 10 Pro, which apparently does need a license. I don't know how we would have gotten Windows Pro. Windows 10 upgraded automatically last year from Windows 7 Home Edition. I don't know if the last Windows update caused this glitch but I'm researching how to uninstall the last update and see if that helps.

The last few updates from Microsoft have created quite a few issues. I've been hanging out on the Microsoft Support forums helping people with their display issues, but I haven't seen any posts with issues like what you're reporting, so it may not be update related. (Or it could be, and just not affecting those who visit the Microsoft Support forums.)

Re: Windows License Will Expire Soon

smoky22 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 04:58:19 GMT

I wanted to come back and explain what I found out about this issue (it had nothing to do with a Windows update). I was finally able to talk to a relative who is very knowledgeable. He thinks we somehow ended up with a trial version of Windows Pro and the trial is about to expire, and when it expires we will just have Windows 10 Home edition. I don't use the desktop. I only use my laptop. Not sure if Mr Smoky did something during the Windows 10 upgrade that gave him Windows Pro.

I feel kind of dumb now for bringing this up. Thanks to everyone for the responses. I always get such great help here.