[SOLVED] "Your Windows license will expire soon " window popping up

[faromic]

Hey all,
About a month ago or so (I can't remember exactly) I started getting a blue box popping up in Windows 10 that says
"Your Windows license will expire soon" and below that it says "You need to activate Windows in Settings".

I'm not sure how to fix it. When I go to Settings>Update & Security > Activation, it says "Windows is activated using your organization's activation service". I'm not sure what that means. Could this be from an update? I did some research online and tried to follow one of the methods but things that the guide were telling me to click were grayed out.

Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[COLGeek]

From where did you get Windows?

 

[faromic]

I was trying to remember that myself....I know it's a legal copy and that I purchased it. I went through my emails and can't find a receipt or product code. I do know I installed it using a USB drive.

 

[kanewolf]

I'm not sure how to fix it. When I go to Settings>Update & Security > Activation, it says "Windows is activated using your organization's activation service". I'm not sure what that means. Could this be from an update? I did some research online and tried to follow one of the methods but things that the guide were telling me to click were grayed out.

That means that you purchased a less than TOTALLY legal copy. You purchased an enterprise copy that got registered to an enterprise server that may now be shut down.

 

[faromic]

I have to search more and see if I can find the product key. I think I bought a key off newegg but I can't find the receipt or an invoice. Is it possible it's related to an update? Are you saying I have to repurchase a key? Is there such a thing as "in between legal and illegal?"

 

[USAFRet]

I was trying to remember that myself....I know it's a legal copy and ...

No, it isn't.
A real license for Win 10 Home or Pro does NOT expire.

If someone scammed you into buying a license not meant for resale, say a corporate license...those DO expire.
They need to check in with their corporate license server at least every 6 months. Failing to do so...it WILL unactivate itself.

 

[USAFRet]

I have to search more and see if I can find the product key. I think I bought a key off newegg but I can't find the receipt or an invoice. Is it possible it's related to an update? Are you saying I have to repurchase a key? Is there such a thing as "in between legal and illegal?"

It is NOT related to an update.
In between legal and illegal is "Not for Resale".

Those are legal, if and only if you and it are complying by the rules under which it was sold.
Which does not seem to be the case here.

 

[hang-the-9]

I have to search more and see if I can find the product key. I think I bought a key off newegg but I can't find the receipt or an invoice. Is it possible it's related to an update? Are you saying I have to repurchase a key? Is there such a thing as "in between legal and illegal?"

Your Newegg account would have a purchase history you can look through.

 

[faromic]

I see. so basically I have to buy a new license for it to go away. Where is the best source to buy a license and make sure this doesn't happen again?

 

[USAFRet]

I see. so basically I have to buy a new license for it to go away. Where is the best source to buy a license and make sure this doesn't happen again?

Direct from Microsoft.
Or, off the shelf at BestBuy or similar.


I had a very similar thing happen to me last year.
Bought a refubished Asus Transformer from Newegg. $200.
Listing said it came with Windows 10.
Came with Win 10 Pro installed. Odd, I thought, but went with it.
Fully activated.

Exactly 6 months later, poof, Unactivated.

The refurb "company" had installed Win 10 Pro, and used a corporate license on it.
That license, not being able to check in to its corporate server unactivated itself.

Much bitching back and forth.
Asus finally gave me the original license it came with, Win 10 Home.
The refurb people - "Can we give you $20 for your troubles?"

They knew exactly what was on there and how/why they sold it like that.

Whatever you purchased was the same.
Any license you purchase that says it will become Unactivated is NOT valid, Not for Resale.