6 Methods to Resolve the ‘Your Windows License Will Expire Soon’ Error

The error message “Your Windows license will expire soon” appears when the digital license used to activate your Windows is nearing expiration. Initially, you may encounter this error message periodically, but it can eventually lead to irregular system restarts.

This error message can also occur even if you have an updated or permanent digital license, often due to license verification bugs or issues, especially after upgrading your Windows version.

For those using an uncertified version of Windows, purchasing a valid digital license from Microsoft is the only viable solution. However, for genuine Windows users, we have compiled a list of potential remedies you can attempt to resolve this issue.

Method 1: Restart the Windows Explorer Process

The first method of fixing the “Your Windows License will expire Soon” message is restarting the Task Manager’s Windows Explorer process.   

Please follow the steps below –

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager to open Task Manager

• Next, in Task Manager, under the Process tab, find Window Explorer, right-click on it, and select End Task

• Next, click on File and select Run New Task

• Now, in the dialog box, type explorer.exe and click OK or press Enter.

• Next, go to the search Menu, type Command Prompt (CMD), and Select Run As Administrator.

• Now, type slmgr –rearm in the command prompt and press Enter.

• At last, restart your computer

Note: Many users have got rid of this error using this method quickly  

Method 2: Group Policy Edit

Group Policy is a tool that can be used by a network administrator handling the Microsoft Active Directory. Users do not usually operate it as it is used for configuring network settings, passwords, startup programs, etc.

Tweaking the Group Policy can remove the “Your Windows License will expire soon” error. Here are the steps to do it –       

• Press Window+R to open the Run Dialog box

• Next, in the Run Dialog box, type gpedit.msc and press Enter or click OK.

• Next, in the Local Group Policy Editor window, on the left pane, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

• Now, in the right pane, double click on No auto-restart with logged-on users for the scheduled automatic updates installations option.

• Now, in the next window, select the Enabled checkbox and click on Apply and OK to save changes.

Method 3: Edit Registry

The Windows Registry is the database of your system’s settings, values, and options of the different software and hardware. Making a few changes to the registry might renew your OS policy and resolve the issue.

Follow the steps below to modify the Windows Registry – 

• Press Window + R to open the Run dialog box on your system

• Next, type regedit.exe on the Run dialog box and press Enter or click OK

• Export the current Registry before modifying it. Click on File> Export

• Then, select All as the Export range and choose a file name. Save it in a safe location, and remember it

• It is important to do this. If something goes wrong, you can execute this file, and the older settings of the Registry will be restored on your system   
• Next, go to the search Menu, type Command Prompt (CMD), and Select Run As Administrator.

• Now, in command prompt, type the following command and press Enter.

reg add “HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Software Protection Platform” /v NoGenTicket /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Method 4: Find the Product Key using the Command Prompt

You can use the command prompt to locate the product key of the Windows version. You can re-enter the key to renew your OS license. 

Find the key using these steps – 

• Go to the search Menu, type Command Prompt (CMD), and select Run as Administrator.

• Next, in command prompt, type the following command and press Enter.

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

• This command will show your product key on the screen; note it down.

• Now, press Window + I and click on Update & security option

• Then, first, click the Activation option and then click on the Change product key.

• Enter your product key (which you noted down), then click the Next button.

Using these steps, your Windows version will be activated again.  

Method 5: Disable Two Windows Services

Windows services enable the creation and execution of other processes. You can fix the license error by disabling these two services – 

• Disable Windows License Manager Service
• Disable Windows Update Service

First, press Window+R to open the Run dialog box. Next, in the Run dialog box.

Next type services.msc and press Enter to open Service Manager.

Disable Windows License Manager Service

• Next, locate Windows License Manager Service and double-click on it

• Next, in the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled and click on the Stop button (if the service status is running) to stop the service

• Now click on Apply and OK to save changes

Disable Windows Update Service

• Next, locate Windows Update and double-click on it.

• In the Properties window, ensure the Startup type is set to Disabled. Then, click on the Stop button to stop the service (if you find the service still running)

• Now click on Apply and OK to save changes

These steps are sure to resolve the license error. If the message persists, enable the services again.

Method 6: Using Activation Troubleshooter

The Microsoft Activation Troubleshooter is useful for verifying the originality of a Windows version and if it is being used on multiple devices. You can use this to solve common activation errors. But the Activation Troubleshooter is useful only if you use Windows 10 version 1607 or above. 

Here are the steps to use the feature –

• Press Window + I and click on the Update & Security option

• Now, on the left pane, click on the Activation option.

• All the activation errors will be displayed here
• Launch the Activation Troubleshooter by clicking on Troubleshoot, and you will be on your way.
• The Troubleshooter will detect the current activation errors on your system and fix them automatically.
• After the entire process is over, click on the Close button

Check Your Date and Time

Every license has a date and time of activation/ expiry. So, check to see whether your system’s date and time have been messed up, as this might be the reason for the license error. For this, you must go to the Date and Time settings and check.  

Follow the steps given below –

• Go to the Search Menu, type Date & Time Settings, and press Enter or click Open.

• Now, under Date and Time, turn on the options Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.

• Now Restart your computer and check if the issue has been resolved

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering the “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon” error message can be frustrating, but several methods are available to address this issue. The Activation troubleshooter offered by Windows can help diagnose and resolve activation issues, and restarting Windows Explorer may temporarily stop the popups from appearing. Additionally, checking for Windows updates, reinstalling the product key, resetting the licensing status, and purchasing a valid digital license are other methods that can resolve the issue. By trying these methods, you can resolve the error and continue using your Windows system without interruptions.