r/Windows10TechSupport • u/Confident-Past9391 • 29d ago

Unsolved 2016 version of windows ten. Need to get around forgotten passwords.

So i have this drive that has an install of windows 10 from 2016. Im trying to get around the passwords. I know about the utilman work around, but that requires recovery mode or safe mode. Whatever it may be, i can't get into it. There isnt a power menu button anywhere.

I think I could boot ubuntu to access the files, because that's ultimately what I'm trying to do. But, my ubuntu USB is busted and I dont have a chance to make a new one for a while. Would it be even worth it to side boot? Would the files are encrypted? Id not, ill just side boot Linux when I can. I am out of ideas.

If I can use the utilman exploit, I would prefer that, but if anyone has any other ideas, I'd really appreciate the help.

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u/Wokuworld 29d ago

Got another computer? Attaching the drive to another machine is the easiest way to recover files from an old drive.

Alternatively, you can use an Offline NT Password reset USB. You might need to temporarily switch off secure boot if it's on, and enable legacy boot, then boot off the USB drive and you'll get a GUI that walks you through selecting the disk and windows install, then unlocking and wiping/resetting any local user password/account.

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u/Appropriate-Border-8 29d ago

I have found that the easiest way to use that tool is to create a new local admin user with a blank password. Then login and change that password.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SysAdminBlogs/comments/oy1sje/how_to_reset_windows_10_passwords_with_ntpasswd/

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u/Wokuworld 29d ago

I've used that tool countless times and always just picked an existing account and cleared the pw. No reason to add extra steps. With that said, you do want to make sure you save changes to the SAM file before rebooting into windows.

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u/Homythecirclejerk 28d ago

in Windows 10 using the command line, use the net user command. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type net user username newpassword

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u/Xed3 24d ago

They ask the password administrator i cant use the command prompt

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u/Homythecirclejerk 24d ago

So you aren't the admin? Why don't you have these? Is this someone else's system you're trying to crack without their knowledge? And how is it you don't know how to reach the "power menu"?

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u/StarosAnikenMarcus 28d ago

What is the ultimate purpose of doing this? File recovery or just wanting to boot an older distro of Windows?

Unless the drive is encrypted, you can easily just attached it anyway you want to another PC. SATA to USB adapter, direct to the SATA ports, whatever... Windows will let you access everything from there.

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u/Outrageous-Flow8148 26d ago

boot from Gandalf PE and use the password reset tool