Windows password pain!

gort

gort

gort

Associate
Joined
27 May 2003
Posts
1,737
Put a new CPU in my mobo to test it.
Got the Bios tpm reset thing and following this my Windows PIN no longer works and I don't know what my local password was previously (not used one in ages).

I read up on it and put old cpu back in but PIN still not working and the security feature has locked me out.
I'm guessing I had Bitlocker on the SSD but don't recall having it and have no key.
Got no p/w recovery usb stick or Microsoft login etc.

I fortunately have a spare OS on another drive so loaded that up and have been able to retrieve most saved things (I think) so just a ball-ache putting everything back on with a chance somethings have been missed.

Gonna go down as "user error" I think but
basically is it worth the faff to still try and recover a password or just do a fresh install and suck it up?
 
As you've been able to copy data off the drive via another OS you don't have Bitlocker encryption enabled, so since it's a local account and the drive isn't encrypted you should be able to reset the password from safe mode (search Win 11 local account password reset and there are plenty of guides).
 
Last edited:
Earlier today, I had to remove the admin password from an ancient NUC that a deceased family member had owned and used this freebie:
Lazesoft Recovery Suite.

Note that it seems to hang with a command prompt for 3 to 5 minutes, but I left it and then the GUI appeared.
I booted from a USB stick.
 
smilingcrow said:
Earlier today, I had to remove the admin password from an ancient NUC that a deceased family member had owned and used this freebie:
Lazesoft Recovery Suite.

Note that it seems to hang with a command prompt for 3 to 5 minutes, but I left it and then the GUI appeared.
I booted from a USB stick.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I tried Lazesoft and it went to the command prompt and I gave up with it. I read that it was an issue with the GUI but couldn't get round it. I will give it another go and leave it for a bit.

I tried Hirens CD as had been mentioned above but getting errors and it wouldn't load despite changing settings in Bios it recommends.
 
andshrew said:
As you've been able to copy data off the drive via another OS you don't have Bitlocker encryption enabled, so since it's a local account and the drive isn't encrypted you should be able to reset the password from safe mode (search Win 11 local account password reset and there are plenty of guides).
Click to expand...
Ta. One piece of software that wouldn't work suggested I had it installed ( so I assumed I did and just forgot).
Then as I was taking files off the drive I thought how crap it is that I can just do that, and didn't twig!!
 
gort said:
Interesting, I tried Lazesoft and it went to the command prompt and I gave up with it. I read that it was an issue with the GUI but couldn't get round it. I will give it another go and leave it for a bit.
Click to expand...
I'd leave it for 15 to 30 minutes as nothing to lose.
It's been very useful when accessing hardware owned by deceased family and friends.
I helped the sisters of a deceased friend access his PC and then they could login to his email account.
 
smilingcrow said:
I'd leave it for 15 to 30 minutes as nothing to lose.
It's been very useful when accessing hardware owned by deceased family and friends.
I helped the sisters of a deceased friend access his PC and then they could login to his email account.
Click to expand...

Don't specifically know what I did but I reinstalled Lazesoft on to a different usb stick as the one it was on stopped being recognised.
Booted up straight away in to the expected GUI and reset password in seconds and loaded up Windows no problemo!
When it actually works, it's a doddle!

Crisis over!!

Thanks all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom