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Mr_D · 04-22-2017, 06:05 PM

Have an older laptop that I set up for my late wife. Trying to get in to see if there are any pictures or other data I need to save. So far nothing I've tried has worked and I didn't create a password recovery disk or USB drive like I should have.
I there a way to reset a password or bypass it?

ThomB · 04-22-2017, 06:15 PM

Sorry for your loss. Not sure I can help with password resets but if you can get into the machine and remove the drive you can potentially get an adapter that you plug in to the drive and then converts to USB so you can browse the drive. Not perfect but might work. Think of it as almost a portable hard drive type device.

twinboat · 04-22-2017, 06:53 PM

Try this link
http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/b...-password.html

hammer55 · 04-23-2017, 06:13 AM

if it is a desktop, remove the back up battery, then reboot

Hit_the_Rhod · 04-23-2017, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammer55

if it is a desktop, remove the back up battery, then reboot

OP states that it is a laptop.

nothermark · 04-23-2017, 06:44 AM

The windows password can be reset to a new one by anyone with the correct tools. Ask around your local shops. Explain what you need and one may be able to reset it for you. That would be your best bet as you then have full control of the system and a licensed install you can keep using. Make a new user for yourself if you want a different login.

Pulling the drive and putting it in a USB drive works. If you cannot get into specific directories you might have to take ownership of those directories. Google is your friend for that.

Pulling the battery seldom works on desktops anymore. It has not worked on laptops for many years.

Another way to approach the problem is to use a Linux load on a USB drive to boot the machine. That will let you browse the drive and copy files to the USB or to a backup drive. That might be the easiest if you are comfortable with making Linux USB thumb drives. I like Mint. ;-)

If the drive has had encryption enabled or there is a password loaded in the BIOS you have bigger problems. I'd pull the drive and see if the USB adapter worked.

FWIW I did a quick look. If it's 7 Home there is a free tool here:

http://www.lazesoft.com/lazesoft-rec...omparison.html

If you are comfortable with making what you need to you can try it. It was one of many. I have used tools like this in the past as part of my job. If you do not have some practice you can screw things up so I would pay somebody else who was in practice. YMMV. The other methods will give you access but not change anything so no damage done.

RobReab · 04-23-2017, 11:57 AM

Been in IT for 40 years. I've used this many times. Burn a CD or USB stick, boot and reset the password.

https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

Mr_D · 04-23-2017, 12:40 PM

Found what works, thought I had tried it but guess not.

It's not like I don't have IT experience but mine was server building, setup and troubleshooting. I managed a team of support people who worked with the chair/computer interface.
Set up and built servers, including rack mount, managed a couple IBM "Shark" SAN units hooked to three 5000 tape backup units as well as an Oracle Financials team till Freightliner cancelled the project. No use for a Project Manager if there's no project left to manage!!