What happens if you don't activate Windows XP?
After 30 days without activation you can't access your files, or doing anything else because Windows refuses to let you login anymore. You can only try to activate Windows.
Unfortunately, if you try to log on in Safe Mode after activation has expired, you are informed that activation is required, that activation can not be performed in Safe Mode, and to log in under normal Windows and activate that way.
The following is a solution to gain access to your files on an expired Windows, with even enough functionality to surf the web, talk on MSN Messenger, and run most of your applications.
It doesn't give you full functionality of Windows, but it will be enough to get the job done until you can find the time to activate your Windows.
First, turn on your computer and wait until you get to the Windows login screen.
Next, click to login as usual. You should get an error from Windows telling you that your Windows has expired and is asking whether you would like to activate Windows now. Click Yes.
A "Let's activate Windows" window will appear. Minimize it. DO NOT close it.
Now, hold down the Windows Key on your keyboard while you also press the "U" key. This will open up the Narrator program to help assist those with poor vision.
Click the little computer icon in the top left hand side of the Narrator window. A drop down menu should appear. The last option in this menu is named "About Narrator…". Click it. This should open up another window called "About Narrator".
In this window, there should be the text "Microsoft Web site". Click it, as it is a link and will open up your Internet Explorer, taking you to the Microsoft Accessibility website and giving you Internet access.
In the address bar of Internet Explorer, type "c:\" (without quotes). This will display all your hard drive contents on drive "C". From there you can load navigate your way around your computer, running specific programs and whatever else.
You should find your personal files and programs in this directories:
C:\documents and settings\(your username)\Desktop\
C:\documents and settings\(your username)\Documents\
C:\documents and settings\(your username)\Start Menu\Programs\
C:\program files\
In Windows Vista there is an easier way: if the system won't let you log on because your key is expired, simply choose, "Activate with a new key from Microsoft". That will launch a web browser. Then type in c:\windows\explorer.exe and hit enter. Windows will fully load up and you will get the task bar, desktop, everything. Just don't close the activation window, or else the system will reboot.
