I've recently installed Window 7 through one of those shops ( abit like MBK) and recently got a message asking me to activate windows 7 within 26 days other wise it'll go into some mode.

I don't have the product key so can anyone tell me what happens after the 26 days if i don't enter a product key? will i still be able to use windows? etc etc?

Any help would be great! Thanks in advance.

this will depend if they have installed it with a key then all you have to do is activate it then it will do it all itself.if no key then after this time you cannot use it you will be locked out. so you need to find out if it was installed witha key or you have to get one. try to activate it that will tell you. check this out first http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Activating-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

cheers

Yeah, it will be gradually crippled. The first to go will be the desktop background will turn black. Then you will start losing more functionality and it will be restricted as to how long you can use it within a day. It will also start to behave rather strangely. However if you enter an valid activation key prior to the expiration. You won't have any problems. That is if they didn't use a modified pirated version.

From the activation screen, and you don't have a valid activation key, Microsoft does offer a discounted 'get genuine' offer on-line. They will send you an activation key through an email. If the key doesn't work, then you'll have to wait for the legitimate windows disk to arrive from Singapore (about 3 weeks) and reinstall Windows.

Edited January 19, 201115 yr by BB1950

Windows Activation Technology (WAT). Designed for pirated use, but has been used by a LOT of people suffering at the hands of the idiotic licencing system on their genuine software.

Off topic posts removed

open a command prompt with elevated priviledges and type slmgr.vbs -rearm when you reach your last day, it'll give you another 30 days up to a maximum of 120, this is the legal way.

for the other ways, look for a loader.