This article has been created in order to help explain what is the Microsoft License has expired tech support scam and how you can remove it from your computer effectively.
A new computer voice type of phone call and error page has been detected by researchers. The scam aims to trick victims into calling the phone number 1-888-756-2254, where Indian accented people explain that they are from Microsoft and victims must pay a lot of money for a new license or give them access to their computers remotely. If you have seen messages related to this scam, we recommend that you read this article. It will help you to understand what is causing it and how you can remove it effectively from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | “Microsoft license key has expired” |
| Type | Fake Tech Support |
| Short Description | Aims to convince users that their Windows License Key is expired. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your PC. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss “Microsoft license key has expired”. |
Your “Windows license key has expired” Distribution Methods
The main method used for these scams to be spread could be conducted as a result of files ad other types of objects that may have let you compromise your computer with adware or even worse – malware. One way via which victims can become compromised is by downloading a setup of free software and the adware may be embedded in one of the files installed alongside this setup. In addition to this, the adware may also be added as a result of bundling with such installers. This may mean that when you try to install a free third-party software, you may see “Add this program as a free extra” or similar installation prompts or steps. And it is very easy to miss such prompts since they are generally located in the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation modes in the setup you are trying to install.
Other methods may include you visiting a suspicious site that causes a redirect to such a page or if your computer becomes a virus victim as a result of you clicking on a malicious web link.
“Microsoft license key has expired” – More Information
Usually, as soon as your computer becomes compromised by the “Microsoft license key has expired” Trojan, you may begin to see suspicious activity on your computer. Since this may also turn out to be a lockscreen, you may be logged out of your Windows and begin to see the following screen:
In addition to this, another variant of the “Microsoft license key has expired” scam may also arrive on your computer via a web browser and display a tech support scam page that may lock your browser. Such images look like the one below and they also ask you to call the tech support number that is provided (1-888-756-2254).
If you see a lockscreen directly on your computer, however, the issue might be more serious and malicious files, belonging to this Trojan Horse may exist in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
As soon as the virus installs it’s payload files on your computer, it may heavily modify your Windows Registry Editor in order to replace your Windows Log-On screen’s components. This happens by obtaining administrative privileges and using them in order to interfere with the Windows Registry Editor, more importantly the following Windows sub-keys:
→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Creative\
In addition to this, the “Microsoft license key has expired” virus may perform other forms of activities on the computers of victims, such as:
- Create mutexes on your PC.
- Take screenshots to spy on you.
- Obtain any saved passwords from your computer.
- Read and Write permissions over your files.
- Log your typed keystrokes.
In addition to this, the number that is provided on the “Microsoft license key has expired” scam message is reported to be similar to another tech support number 1-574-444-7543, which was reported to directly call random numbers:
Microsoft license key has expired. WHAT???????????
10-13-17I just received a computer voice phone call saying my Microsoft license key has expired and soon my computer will stop working. To prevent that, I must call back and reference a number that was spoken by the computer voice. Here’s the phone number I was called on. 574-444-7543. I called that number back and got a real person (Indian accent). I told him I have never heard of such a thing and how do I know I’m actually talking to a Microsoft authorized person? He gave me some bull about, “how would they know my license had expired if they weren’t from Microsoft? I told him I would call back later and hung up. WHERE DO WE REPORT THESE CRIMINALS? WHO IS GOING AFTER THESE PEOPLE? HOW DO I FILE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT? WHAT IS MICROSOFT DOING ABOUT THESE THINGS? I HAVEN’T EVEN SEEN AN EMAIL FROM MICROSOFT EITHER DESCRIBING SUCH A LICENSE ISSUE, NOR TELLING US THAT THIS IS A FRAUD AND DO NOT FALL FOR IT.
“Microsoft license key has expired” – How to Remove It
If you want to remove this scam from your computer we would strongly suggest that you read the instructions on this article thoroughly. They have been created with the main idea in order to best help you to delete most of the virus files on your computer either manually or automatically. If the manual remova methods do not seem to work, we strongly suggest that you remove the Microsoft license key has expired scam automatically as most security experts would also recommend. This can happen by scanning your computer with an advanced anti-malware software, that is created in order to automatically scan your computer, detect and remove any malicious files from it or any adware that may be causing the ”Microsoft license key has expired” scam messages to appear.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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How to Remove “Microsoft license key has expired” from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for “Microsoft license key has expired” with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall “Microsoft license key has expired” and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by “Microsoft license key has expired” on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by “Microsoft license key has expired” there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for “Microsoft license key has expired” (Windows).
Get rid of “Microsoft license key has expired” from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall “Microsoft license key has expired” and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to “Microsoft license key has expired”. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove “Microsoft license key has expired” via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove “Microsoft license key has expired” files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as “Microsoft license key has expired”, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for “Microsoft license key has expired” (Mac)
Remove “Microsoft license key has expired” from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase “Microsoft license key has expired” from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall “Microsoft license key has expired” from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove “Microsoft license key has expired” from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the “Microsoft license key has expired” will be removed.
Eliminate “Microsoft license key has expired” from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
“Microsoft license key has expired”-FAQ
What Is “Microsoft license key has expired”?
The “Microsoft license key has expired” threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of “Microsoft license key has expired”?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like “Microsoft license key has expired”?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does “Microsoft license key has expired” Work?
Once installed, “Microsoft license key has expired” can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
“Microsoft license key has expired” can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is “Microsoft license key has expired” Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the “Microsoft license key has expired” Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this “Microsoft license key has expired” how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on “Microsoft license key has expired”?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the “Microsoft license key has expired” threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.