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You can get to the files on the C drive without the password if the drive is not encrypted. There are also tools out there that will allow you to reset the password from outside of Windows as well (MS DaRT). The password only protects the data from being accessed by logging into Windows.
In short, if someone has physical access to your PC, they have access to your data. It's extremely easy to bypass windows passwords....... like it was said above if the drive is encrypted it makes it extremely hard to view the files but it's still technically possible (not at all worthwhile and may take 10,000 years, but possible nonetheless). However, if you DO encrypt the data and then you LOSE the password to the user account then all of your data is gone and NOT retrievable. Be careful.
I don't think you can log on to a Windows computer without the password--or if there is you probably have to be a com-sci expert to know how. I think ordinarily if you try to put in a Windows CD it's not going to let you it, it's going to try to repair or restore the computer.
But I think one way you could get on the computer and access the files is by using a linux live cd. However, I haven't tried it so I don't know how easier or hard that is.
Isn't the Windows password stored on the hard drive?
If not, where is it stored?
Yes, but what I meant was put it in another computer as a secondary drive, meaning you don't boot to it. You use another windows install on another hard drive to view the files. It'll show up in My Computer.
You can set a password in the BIOS which is for the machine itself but that can be reset too by popping the battery out or if the mobo has BIOs reset switch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedGreenGirl
I don't think you can log on to a Windows computer without the password--or if there is you probably have to be a com-sci expert to know how..
A Google search will find numerous results for instructions and tools to do it.
Quote:
But I think one way you could get on the computer and access the files is by using a linux live cd. However, I haven't tried it so I don't know how easier or hard that is
Pop the disk in and there's the files.
Funny story with this, a friend of mine was having a fight with his girlfriend and she reset the password on his machine. It was an XP machine though and that creates an administrator account that can be accessed in safemode, took all of 3 seconds to change his password back.
The bottom line is a windows password is like a cheap lock , it keeps honest people honest. As already suggested you need to encrypt the drive if you want to keep your data secure.
This is an excellent program. I've been using it for years and it works better than Ophcrack in my experience. (unless you actually want to see what the password is)
X64, x86, XP, Vista, 7... basically anything with SAM. Just make it a bootable CD, boot to it, follow the prompts and blank out the password for the account you want to access. Save, restart, voila.
I have a bootable USB stick with this as well. Comes in handy at work.
Can't work on my Windows 10 laptop. Any other suggestion?
You tried a Linux live CD and can't find your files?
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