Password Reset on Non-Live account

[Greenish]

Hey Guys, I have forgotten the password on one of my laptops. However it isn't using a live account. I was thinking that the best way to fix it would to be boot to a USB stick (using ubuntu or something) downloading all my files onto a different drive. Formatting the disk and reinstalling windows with those files.

I would certainly be open to other ideas as this seems tedious.

[Windows7ge]

It's using a local account?

[Tsuki]

reboot to recovery

go into advanced and launch command prompt

change directory to C:\

rename cmd.exe to cmd.exe.old

rename osk.exe to cmd.exe

reboot

when you're at the login screen open the on screen keyboard

-this will open command prompt

change the password of your local account

[Greenish]

2 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

It's using a local account?

Yes

[Greenish]

Just now, Tsuki said:

reboot to recovery

go into advanced and launch command prompt

change directory to C:\

rename cmd.exe to cmd1.exe

rename osk.exe to cmd.exe

reboot

when you're at the login screen open the on screen keyboard

-this will open command prompt

change the password of your local account

Alright give it a go

[Windows7ge]

1 minute ago, Greenish said:

Yes

An oldie but goodie:

 

[Tsuki]

3 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

An oldie but goodie:

 

hey i remember that thread  

[Windows7ge]

1 minute ago, Tsuki said:

hey i remember that thread  

I remember you too. The first comment to tell me how outdated it was in 2017.

Recently I offered it to someone on the forum and it got them back in their Windows 10 machine.

 

If Microsoft would simply change how the passwords are managed for local accounts I'll finally be forced to retire this method for something new.

[Tsuki]

28 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

I remember you too. The first comment to tell me how outdated it was in 2017.

Recently I offered it to someone on the forum and it got them back in their Windows 10 machine.

 

If Microsoft would simply change how the passwords are managed for local accounts I'll finally be forced to retire this method for something new.

my only problem with hirens is that the software on it hasnt been updated since like 2013 2012.  theres other boot disks that are more up to date. and with win10, you dont even need a disk with anything installed on it at all.  i may actually create a guide on it eventually, but ive been reluctant to give more than just the detail i gave above.

 

 

edit: just looked, official version of hirens hasnt been updated since 2012. last year fans made a preinstall enviroment that is actually up to date, which means its viable again!

[Windows7ge]

32 minutes ago, Tsuki said:

my only problem with hirens is that the software on it hasnt been updated since like 2013 2012.  theres other boot disks that are more up to date. and with win10, you dont even need a disk with anything installed on it at all.  i may actually create a guide on it eventually, but ive been reluctant to give more than just the detail i gave above.

 

 

edit: just looked, official version of hirens hasnt been updated since 2012. last year fans made a preinstall enviroment that is actually up to date, which means its viable again!

I have a thing for writing very detailed guides. I wouldn't mind writing one using the CMD method and an updated one on hirens if it's had a recent resurrection. Got a link to that?

 

Also does the name MediCat mean anything to you? This is something else I've been meaning to explore.

[Tsuki]

3 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

I have a thing for writing very detailed guides. I wouldn't mind writing one using the CMD method and an updated one on hirens if it's had a recent resurrection. Got a link to that?

 

Also does the name MediCat mean anything to you? This is something else I've been meaning to explore.

hirens main page links directly to the updated PE version now

https://www.hirensbootcd.org/

 

I actually used to use MedicCat instead of Hirens or FalconFour, i think its awesome, but its been a while so i dont know what its current state is like.

 

and if you want to do a write-up on the cmd method, ill happily go into more detail if you want.

[Windows7ge]

6 minutes ago, Tsuki said:

hirens main page links directly to the updated PE version now

https://www.hirensbootcd.org/

 

I actually used to use MedicCat instead of Hirens or FalconFour, i think its awesome, but its been a while so i dont know what its current state is like.

 

and if you want to do a write-up on the cmd method, ill happily go into more detail if you want.

So instead of Mini Windows XP it's effectively Windows 10 now. I'll have to write a new guide on this and depreciate the old one.

 

Looking at it The Project claims it's still alive and the latest post from OP was last Friday so it doesn't look dead yet.

 

What I'll do is research it on my own. I have some VM servers so I can just pop these tests in & out across XP,Vista,7, 8/8.1,10. If I get stuck though I may ask for your assistance.

 

I'll probably start with the CMD method as that seems most popular/recommended. From there Hiren's (for old times sake). Then I'll look into MediCat.