Login Laptop without Password?

RBT · 27 Mar 2021

This morning friend called asking how to get into Windows 10 Laptop bought yesterday but forgot password. Login gave an option to Reset password, said put in flash drive, however they had no flash drive. I walked um through booting to safemode thinking maybe some way to an admin acct, but could not get past login screen. They bought it local, called the store, said bring it in they could fix problem. That saved me from grabbing a USB ISO, driving their location and doing a repair that saves files.

But curious what other options there are, came here looking, found some but a few questions at (?).

I found that one can prepare ahead of time by creating a password reset USB. Unless I missed something (?) that seems to be equal to just writing down the password and keeping it somewhere.

I see there's purchase apps that attempt to hack the password while others appear to only make the windows repair/save data process automated. If not too expensive and reliable the former could be handy.

I see where one can go through the login process at Microsoft's site to set a new password.
(?) Question: Is it possible to go back to a local login after doing this?

(?) Any other options I missed that can get past the login lock screen?

Brink · 27 Mar 2021

Hello mate,

You can set up netplwiz below to sign in to Windows 10 automatically at startup.

Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup

In addition, turn off require sign-in on wakeup below.

Turn On or Off Require Sign-in on Wakeup in Windows 10

Bree · 27 Mar 2021

RBT said:

...I see where one can go through the login process at Microsoft's site to set a new password.
(?) Question: Is it possible to go back to a local login after doing this?

If the user signs in with a Microsoft account then the only way to reset a lost password is through the Microsoft site. Once you can sign in it can be turned into a local account.

Switch to Local Account in Windows 10

(?) Any other options I missed that can get past the login lock screen?

There are various methods of gaining access to a PC where the password has been lost. They're against forum rules to discuss here, but any local repair shop worth their salt should know them. But be aware that there is no way to unlock a Microsoft account, you can only reset the passwords of local accounts this way.

My cousin's husband passed away, and she was left with his Windows 8 PC which held all his precious documents, but no one knew the password for the only account on the machine. I offered to unlock it for her, but found that the sole account was a Microsoft one. In the end I created a new local account as an administrator so we could get in and retrieve the documents. But there was no way I could reset his MS account. I gave it an upgrade to W10 to get a digital licence, then clean installed W10 with a new local account for her and all the documents restored to her account.

My 'plan ahead' tip is to always create a second local administrator account, so you have a second way in for emergencies.

RBT · 27 Mar 2021

Thanks to all replies, including those it wouldn't let me thank again.

Brink · 27 Mar 2021

What happened for it to not let you?

Were you able to get it to sign in automatically?

RolandJS · 27 Mar 2021

My laptops always have the built-in admin acct enabled - similar to the reasons given in this thread. If password is lost for any reason, the admin acct can be used to regain access without having to have a computer place use either the free Hiren's or the pay-for PC Unlocker.

RBT · 28 Mar 2021

Brink said:

What happened for it to not let you?
Were you able to get it to sign in automatically?

I'm not sure the details as I was talking to her over the phone. But in safemode boot there was nothing on her lock screen but her one and only account. With no password couldn't find a way to get to a cmd prompt to try any Net cmds. Tried pressing F8 on boot but just went to Bios, upon exit right back to the lock screen. I probably just didn't know enough. Anyhow she took it back to big box store and they got into it.

Brink · 28 Mar 2021

I'm glad they looked at it for her.

Bree · 28 Mar 2021

RolandJS said:

My laptops always have the built-in admin acct enabled - similar to the reasons given in this thread. If password is lost for any reason, the admin acct can be used to regain access without having to have a computer place use either the free Hiren's or the pay-for PC Unlocker.

I prefer to leave Administrator disabled - it has more rights than a local administrator account and may be a security risk to leave it enabled, so I like to make a second local account instead.

As for paying for tools to unlock a PC, it's unnecessary. All you need is already on the PC and came pre-installed by Microsoft.