Full Screen Pop Up From Campaign Manager - "Start Planning For Windows 10 End of Support" - Legit or a Malicious Program?

Yes this pop up is in fact malicious by definition. It's unstable nagware. It's been found to cause crashes and problems on multiple systems and is not thus legitimate, even though it does come from Microsoft. This pop up therefore can and should be disabled. Completely ignore all of the garbage about having to downgrade to Windows 11 and the useless advice you've been given to put up with such nagware as well. To disable the pop up, navigate to C:\Program Files\RUXIM. Then rename the RUXIMIH.exe file. You may need to make system files visible and/or take ownership of the file or the RUXIM folder to do so, but that's perfectly doable and this should disable the nagware.

Hello Martin, my apologies for the delayed response. I have attached a screenshot of the pop up, but unfortunately do not have one of the icon that popped up on the taskbar below this.

I have not recently installed any programs that I'm aware of and double checked add/remove programs to be sure.

I ran a scan with Malwarebytes and with Windows defender, and both came back clean.

Please let me know if there is anything else I should check.

Thank you very much.

Dear John Smith_564,

Please excuse my delayed response, and thank you for bringing this to my attention.

The “Start Planning for Windows 10 End of Support” notification you’re seeing is indeed a legitimate message from Microsoft. As part of their ongoing efforts, Microsoft is actively reminding users of the upcoming end-of-support (EoS) for Windows 10 in October 2025. The intention is to encourage users to plan ahead by transitioning to Windows 11 or exploring other upgrade options well before the deadline.

Why Are You Seeing This Notification?

This notification is part of Microsoft’s communication strategy to ensure that all Windows 10 users—whether individuals or businesses—are aware of the system's life cycle and the need to prepare for its eventual phase-out. The message may appear in one of the following forms:

• A full-screen pop-up notification upon system startup.
• Taskbar alerts or banners within the Windows Settings app.
• Emails sent to registered Microsoft accounts.

The goal is to provide users with ample time to evaluate their needs, such as upgrading to a newer operating system or replacing hardware, especially if compatibility with Windows 11 is a concern. These reminders are being rolled out intermittently to reach as many users as possible, so it’s normal to see them periodically.

Currently, Microsoft does not offer a direct way to disable such critical system notifications, as they are designed to ensure users are informed about significant updates. However, you can reduce their occurrence by keeping your system updated and minimizing unnecessary background services or apps that might trigger notifications.

That said, I completely understand how such notifications—delivered in an unavoidable and eye-catching way—might feel intrusive or disruptive. Microsoft’s goal is to inform and assist, not inconvenience users, but the execution may sometimes feel less user-friendly. I sincerely apologize if this has caused any disruption or inconvenience.

Is This Notification Safe?

Rest assured, this notification is not a malicious program or scam. It is a legitimate communication from Microsoft regarding the upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10. There’s no immediate action you need to take aside from planning your eventual upgrade to Windows 11 or other alternatives at your convenience.

If you encounter anything suspicious or have further questions about the notification, don’t hesitate to provide additional details so we can ensure everything is clear and safe for you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi, John Smith_564

Welcome to the Microsoft Community

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Based on your description, it seems unusual for Microsoft software to display messages under the name "Campaign Manager."

To help me confirm whether this is a legitimate notification or potentially a malicious program, could you please provide the following:

1. Screenshots: Could you capture and share screenshots of the icon on the taskbar and the full-screen message you received? This will help us identify the source more accurately.
2. Notification Source: Can you check if the notification provides any links or additional details about its origin?
3. Recent Software Installations: Have you recently installed any new software or updates that might be related to this notification?
4. Security Software: Do you have any antivirus or security software installed, and has it detected any threats or unusual activity?

Looking forward to your reply.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist