4 replies to this topic

[Nvyseal]

Microsoft has a neat little way to prevent software piracy of their Windows operating system.

Once your grace period is up, Windows refuses to let you login anymore. You cannot access your files. You cannot go on the Internet. You cannot do anything, except the thrill of trying to activate Windows.

With this trick you can gain access to your files on an expired Windows, with even enough functionality to surf the web, talk on MSN Messenger, and load up 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. Best of all though, it's all very simple and easy to do!!!

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. Let's 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. It is this program that will help us login to our Windows.

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. Howrah! Internet access!

As if Internet was not enough, in the address bar of Internet Explorer, type "c:\". This should display all your hard drive contents on drive "C". From there you can load navigate your way around your computer, loading specific programs, and most whatever else.

source: The Tomorrow Times

[m.oreilly]

ah, a ray of sunshine, that is

[Linoman]

Dumb question this but does this only work for non activated? Or will it work for expired as well?

[VROSA]

Yes, thats nice... I remember that i could log to the old 5272 using a similar trick... Clicking the "Get more help" link on the help window you could access the file system to save an "assistance invitation file" to the disk ! ...lol...

[Linoman]

I can't believe Microsoft let such a loop hole in the system, oh well one must be thankful for small mercies.