I recently lost my mother and I'm trying to access her laptop to retrieve some documents. However, I don't have the password and I need help finding a way to recover or reset it. The laptop is an HP Intel Core i3, likely around 8 years old, and running Windows 10. Unfortunately, I don't have a bootable disk to assist with this process. Is there a software or method I can use to regain access?
4 Answers
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. One effective way you can try is the Sticky Keys method. You’ll need a USB drive to follow the steps here: https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Ethical-hacking-How-to-conduct-a-Sticky-Keys-hack. Another option is to purchase a USB enclosure. You could remove the hard drive from the laptop, put it in the enclosure, and connect it to another computer. This way, you can browse her files easily.
You could try using Hiren's Boot CD or making a bootable USB drive with it. It has tools that allow you to gain access to the default admin account, which could let you reset the password for her user account. Just boot from it and see if you’re able to do that. Best of luck!
I get that this might not be the right forum, but you should definitely check out r/techsupport for more targeted advice. Sorry for your loss, and I hope you find the help you need.
Another suggestion is to see if you can log in with the administrator account. Sometimes, it might not have a password set. If you're lucky, you can then reset her account password from there. Condolences again for your loss! Good luck getting into the laptop.
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