This Build Of Windows Platform Is Expired Today Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today?
"This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today" is a fake pop-up error message displayed by a malicious website. Users often visit this site inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission.
As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements and continually record various user-system information.
This rogue website is designed to look virtually identical to Windows Control Panel. This is quite uncommon to fake websites that display error messages - most contain plain text messages with misleading information, and are clearly fake. In this case, however, the message seems genuine.
The pop-up states that the system's activation key has expired and, for this reason, the computer will be locked or continually restart every few minutes. The message advises that the problem must be solved immediately and users should contact 'Windows Platform Help Desk' via a toll-free telephone number ("0-800-090-3869") provided.
As mentioned, "This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today" is fake. Cyber criminals aim to trick victims into paying for technical support/activation keys that are not required. Therefore, ignore this message - it can be removed simply by closing the web browser. Furthermore, PUPs deliver pop-up, coupon, banner, and other ads.
To achieve this, developers usually employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads usually conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, these ads can lead to malicious websites or even activate scripts designed to download/install viruses - clicking them risks serious damage to your system.
Note also that PUPs continually record various information (for example, IP addresses, queries entered into search engines, URLs visited, pages viewed, mouse/keyboard activity, etc.) that might be personally identifiable. Developers share these private details with third parties to generate revenue.
The third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) also generate revenue by misusing these details. This situation poses a direct threat to your privacy. For these reasons, uninstall all PUPs immediately.
| Name | "This Build of Windows is Expired today" virus |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today" shares many similarities with Firewall Detecting Suspicious Incoming Network Connections, Microsoft Has Detected A Porn Virus, Google Chrome Warning Alert, and dozens of other fake errors.
All claim that the system is infected or damaged in other similar ways, however, these errors are designed only to extort money from unsuspecting users. PUPs have an identical purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
These rogue programs attempt to trick users to install by offering various 'useful features', however, rather than providing any real value, they promote dubious websites (by causing unwanted redirects), display intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and continually record various data (which is later sold to third parties).
Research shows that most of the promoted websites are fake search engines containing many intrusive advertisements.
In addition, they generate fake search results, thereby promoting other websites that might be malicious. Furthermore, fake search engines record user-system information and, thus, using them can lead to high-risk computer infections and/or serious privacy issues.
How did adware install on my computer?
As mentioned above, PUPs (malware) are distributed using intrusive online advertisements, however, these applications are also distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third part programs with regular (mostly free) software.
Developers are aware that users often skip download/installation steps and hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Skipping this section and clicking advertisements, can lead to installation of unwanted PUPs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing for new software. Never rush the download and installation processes. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, closely analyze each step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Furthermore, avoid clicking any advertisements.
Cyber criminals put a great deal of effort into making intrusive ads appear legitimate. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to tell if they originate from the visited website. Do not take a risk by clicking them.
Text presented within "This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today" pop-up error:
This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today
If it Expires, Your Windows Platform System will be locked or it will be restart in every few minutes.
For Immediate Support Call Windows Platform Help Desk at Toll Free: 0-800-090-3869
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is This Build of Windows Platform is Expired today?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "this build of windows is expired today" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "this build of windows is expired today" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "this build of windows is expired today" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "this build of windows is expired today" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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