Your Windows Licence has Expired virus (Improved Instructions) - Aug 2016 update
Your Windows Licence has Expired virus Removal Guide
What is Your Windows Licence has Expired virus?
Your Windows Licence has Expired virus and everything you should know about it:
Recently, the Internet users started addressing the Your Windows Licence has Expired virus problem which appears to be spreading throughout the computers around the globe. The virus was named after the notification the users saw when this infection had breached their computers. After investigating this issue, the security experts have come to the conclusion that “Your Windows Licence has Expired” is not an individual virus but just a part of a more major infection. Due to the rogue behavior on the infected computer, such viruses are attributed to the category tech support scams and even ransomware. These infections are famous for generating numerous deceptive ads, pushing the users to purchase suspicious software or services. Typically, the expired Windows warnings will be followed by a variety of other ads, banners, pop-ups, hyperlinks, etc. The problem with these ads is that Windows licenses do expire, and similar notifications can be presented to the computer owners. It is not surprising that some users may take such ads for granted. You can test whether you haven’t become a victim of the Your Windows Licence has Expired hijack by closing your browser or disconnecting your computer from the network. If the notifications stop popping up, this means that you are most likely dealing with scammers. In such a case, do not reconnect to the Internet and scan your computer with an antivirus scanner immediately to remove Your Windows Licence has Expired from your computer. In some other cases, you may also boot your computer to a lockscreen, preventing you from accessing your computer and encouraging you to renew your Windows. This is another major indicator that a virus has taken hold of your PC because normally, you would be able to use basic computer functions even with expired OS version. Either way, such infection should be removed from your device immediately. For that, we recommend running a scan with a reputable antivirus software, such as FortectIntego.
Another thing we should mention about this virus is that it also belongs to the category of tech support scam viruses. These viruses are designed to trick the victims into paying for the non-existent products or services. The Your Windows Licence has Expired ad also encourages the users to contact an indicated number and purchase Windows activation key. Unfortunately, calling the number only connects you to a salesperson trying to push you into obtaining a fake product. In reality, your operating system is not expired, and the key you are offered is either non-functional or does not exist. Thus, by paying up you are simply supporting the shady scammers. But that’s not even the worst that can happen if you keep this adware installed on your computer. It may also expose you to privacy violations which may even result in identity theft all because it secretly spies on you. Adware viruses that involve in tech support scams and similar dirty businesses are especially dangerous, so you better take care of the Your Windows Licence has Expired removal without wasting time. Keep in mind, though that some tech support viruses use lockscreen to prevent users from accessing the applications stored on the computer. This may encumber the whole removal process because no antivirus application can be initiated while the computer screen is locked. If you can’t access your desktop, do not panic and follow the instructions at the end of the article.
How does this adware hijack computers?
As we have already pointed out, the Your Windows Licence has Expired alerts are triggered by an adware hiding on your PC. These ad-based viruses are mostly distributed using the deceptive marketing method called “bundling” which allows potentially unwanted programs to enter computers along with other freeware and shareware applications. Usually, the users are unaware that such dangerous components install on their computers because this process is well-hidden in the “Advanced” and “Custom” setup and can only be witnessed when these particular modes are chosen for installation. Often sneaky programs like Your Windows Licence has Expired adware manage bypass the antivirus defense too. This means that obtaining an antivirus utility is not enough to keep your computer safe. You have to be careful yourself and carefully analyze every program you are allowing to enter your PC.
How should you remove Your Windows Licence has Expired ads?
Despite the seriousness of the consequences of this virus hijack, Your Windows Licence has Expired removal is a rather simple process. All it takes to banish this virus from your computer is initiating a full system scan using a reliable antivirus software. Of course, you virus-fighting utility must come from a reputable source and be updated to its latest version for the removal to go smoothly. Do not forget that if you do not have an antivirus utility installed on your computer (though it is highly recommended), you can always go for an alternative solution and remove Your Windows Licence has Expired adware manually. Removal instructions and everything you need to know about the manual virus elimination is presented below the article.
Getting rid of Your Windows Licence has Expired virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
NOTE: to remove the lockscreen to access your computer type: 8716098676542789 in the licence activation form and click “Activate”. You should receive the a confirmation notification. After closing it, you should be able to access your desktop once again. In such a case, run a scan of your computer immediately. If the issue is reoccurs, follow the steps indicated below.
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove Your Windows Licence has Expired using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Your Windows Licence has Expired. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Your Windows Licence has Expired and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting malware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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