Forgot Windows PIN, need to access photos, not sure if BitLocker is on


  1. MMZWHAT
    Posts : 19
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Forgot Windows PIN, need to access photos, not sure if BitLocker is on


    Hopefully this is the right place for this post.

    An elderly neighbor's family has an old (10+ years) HP laptop with Windows 10 to which they forgot the login pin.

    I tried to use "Forgot My Pin" option but then they don't recognize the Hotmail email address attached to the account, don't remember the password for it anyway, and don't recognize the recovery Gmail address.

    They now have a new computer and all they need from this one is photos. None of the programs or other files are necessary.

    I can reset the password but my concern is BitLocker. I don't know if I can reset the password and access the files If BitLocker is enabled in their Microsoft account.

    So, 2 questions:
    1) Can I access files if BitLocker is enabled and I reset the password?
    2) Is it possible to tell if BitLocker is enabled?

    Thank you very much
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  3. Berton
    Posts : 14,024
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #2

    Haven't needed to use it in quite awhile and it is old but might try the Trial copy, haven't tested it with BitLocker:
    Spotmau PowerSuite Download
    For accessing files I've had luck with booting a Linux LiveDVD or LiveUSB but again haven't tried with a known BitLocker drive.
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  4. dalchina
    Posts : 43,024
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #3

    If it's a Home installation there's no chance of Bitlocker being a factor. Is it?
    Check BitLocker Drive Encryption Status in Windows 10

    You could just simply try booting to a command prompt and trying to access files- if you can.. you can readily recover them.

    Or just boot from a bootable disk and try.

    If Bitlocker is active you won't be abled to access files anyway.

    Ways to reset password:
    Reset Password of User Account in Windows 10
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  6. Berton
    Posts : 14,024
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #4

    dalchina said:
    If it's a Home installation there's no chance of Bitlocker being a factor. Is it?

    You could just simply try booting to a command prompt and trying to access files- if you can.. you can readily recover them.

    Or just boot from a bootable disk and try.

    Ways to reset password:
    Reset Password of User Account in Windows 10
    I would imagine it is a Home version of Windows.
    Can You Turn on BitLocker on Windows 10 Home? - MiniTool Partition Wizard
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  7. cereberus
    Posts : 15,499
    Windows10
       New #5

    MMZWHAT said:
    Hopefully this is the right place for this post.

    An elderly neighbor's family has an old (10+ years) HP laptop with Windows 10 to which they forgot the login pin.

    I tried to use "Forgot My Pin" option but then they don't recognize the Hotmail email address attached to the account, don't remember the password for it anyway, and don't recognize the recovery Gmail address.

    They now have a new computer and all they need from this one is photos. None of the programs or other files are necessary.

    I can reset the password but my concern is BitLocker. I don't know if I can reset the password and access the files If BitLocker is enabled in their Microsoft account.

    So, 2 questions:
    1) Can I access files if BitLocker is enabled and I reset the password?
    2) Is it possible to tell if BitLocker is enabled?

    Thank you very much
    Assuming no bitlocker, easiest option is to remove hard drive and put in a usb enclosure.

    Bitlocker on 10 year old pcs would only be on Pro, and needed to be specifically set up.

    A usb enclosure is very cheap.
      My Computer
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