Windows Vista - Forgot Password!!

[oldmanbm]

I got my old PC oout of the attic to see if a long-lost lease was there. It booted up grand but is now looking for a password. It's been up there for over a decade and yes of course I can't remember what password I used. Are there any shortcuts or ways around the password? It's quite important for a legal case.

[w1bbles]

If it’s a file you’re after, the easiest way may be to make a bootable Linux USB drive and use it to access the hard disk file system. Plenty of guides online if you Google it.

[P1Fanatic]

Just google it. I had the same issue when trying to access my mums old laptop after she passed away. Was surprisingly easy (think it was windows 7 not vista) and something about stopping the boot process, go to shell mode and rename a file.

[Solocle]

P1Fanatic said:

Just google it. I had the same issue when trying to access my mums old laptop after she passed away. Was surprisingly easy (think it was windows 7 not vista) and something about stopping the boot process, go to shell mode and rename a file.

Ah, the old startup repair trick. Get to notepad from a log, open the file dialogue, and then rename one of the easy of access utilities (e.g. osk.exe, and copy cmd.exe into that name).

Then, when you go for the accessibility option on the login screen, you get a SYSTEM account command prompt instead.

[TonyRPH]

This disk image should work

You simply boot from it and follow the instructions - it resets the administrator password, which then enables you to login as administrator and reset your own password.

[MikeGTi]

I've used PC Unlocker successfully before, I may even have a copy if needed.