The “Your Windows license will expire soon” can surprise and confuse you. You often don’t know if your license is ending, you need to activate Windows in Settings, or if it’s just a mistake. The messages can be unclear, and the fixes may seem too technical.
In this article, we will craft an easy guide to help Windows 10 and 11 users understand what’s happening and show simple steps to fix the problem.
Part 1: Fix “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon” Using Activation Troubleshooter (Easiest Method)
Windows 10/11 Compatibility
If you see the “Your Windows license will expire soon” message, the easiest way to fix it is by using the built-in Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 and 11. Here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to
Windows 10: Update & Security → Activation.
Windows 11: System → Activation.
Step 3: Run the Troubleshooter. If your license is having issues, you’ll see a Troubleshoot option. Click it.
Step 4: Follow the On-Screen Instructions. The troubleshooter will check for problems and try to fix your activation automatically.
Step 5: After the process completes, restart your computer to apply any changes.
Ease of Use
This is the simplest and easiest method to use. It detects common activation issues causing the expiration message, tries to fix problems like incorrect activation or licensing glitches, and helps reactivate Windows if your license is still valid.
Part 2: Re-enter Product Key to Resolve “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon”
Sometimes, Windows shows the license expiration message because the product key isn’t properly recognized. Re-entering your valid Windows product key can fix this.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to
Windows 10: Update & Security → Activation.
Windows 11: System → Activation.
Step 3: Find and click the Change product key link.
Step 4: Type in your valid 25-character Windows product key and click Next.
Step 5: Windows will verify the key and attempt to activate your license. After successful activation, restart your computer to refresh the system status.
Ease of Use
This is also a helpful method to fix the “Your Windows license will expire soon” error. It fixes issues when Windows can’t properly read or validate your current key. It is also helpful if you recently changed hardware or reinstalled Windows. This method ensures your license is correctly activated, removing the expiration warning.
Part 3: Use Command Prompt to Stop “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon” Pop-Up
Advanced Manual Method
You can use Command Prompt to disable the expiration pop-up and permanently fix the activation issue by re-entering and activating your product key.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Press Start, type cmd, Right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Step 2: Check license status by entering the following command
slmgr /xpr
Step 3: Uninstall the Current Product Key by entering this command.
slmgr /upk
Step 3: Set your product key by entering the command below.
slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your valid Windows product key.
Step 4: Run the following activation command to activate Windows online.
slmgr /ato
Step 5: Restart to apply the changes and complete activation.
Ease of Use
This is an advanced method ideal for tech-savvy users. It uninstalls any faulty or expired key causing the warning. It installs and activates a valid key, resolving the license error permanently. It also bypasses some issues that the standard Settings UI may not fix.
Part 4: WPS Office – Lightweight Productivity After Fixing Your Windows License
Work Seamlessly Post-Fix
After resolving the “Your Windows license will expire soon” issue, you might be looking for reliable tools to return to work immediately. WPS Office is a lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that offers an all-in-one office productivity solution.
Why It’s Recommended
All-in-One Suite - Includes Writer (Word), Spreadsheet (Excel), and Presentation (PowerPoint).
Lightweight & Fast - It runs smoothly on systems with limited resources, making it ideal for older PCs or laptops.
User-Friendly Interface - Looks and feels familiar to Microsoft Office, so there's no steep learning curve.
Excellent PDF Tools - Built-in PDF reader, editor, and converter without extra software.
Cloud Sync - Offers built-in cloud sync to help you access and edit your documents anytime, anywhere. WPS Office provides 1 GB of Free Cloud Storage (with a WPS account) to store documents securely.
FAQs
1. Why does my computer say 'Your Windows license will expire soon'?
Your PC says "Your Windows license will expire soon" because Windows isn’t properly activated. This can happen due to an expired trial, an invalid key, or recent hardware changes. Check your activation status in Settings > Update & Security > Activation to confirm.
2. Can I fix the activation issue without a product key?
You can fix it without a key using the Activation Troubleshooter in Settings. However, a valid product key is usually required for permanent activation.
3. Is it safe to use the command prompt method?
Using Command Prompt for activation tasks is safe if you use official commands and a valid product key. Avoid unknown scripts or third-party tools, which can harm your system or violate Microsoft’s terms. Stick to trusted commands like slmgr /ipk and slmgr /ato.
