Reset Windows to boot locally without MS account

[eugeneg]

I have a WIndows 10 Home PC to repair while the owner is away for a week. Problem is that it needs the user's MS password to log on to the only account but I don't know it and am unable to reach the client. How can I change the logon to local access (where I can reset the password by booting off a Linux CD) please ?

 

[ccritchie]

You would need to create a new (local) user profile, and then migrate the clients MS profile to the local one. Fabs Autobackup comes in handy for tasks such as this. You may or may not want to go that route, though. Outside of that, you would have to go through the password reset process for the MS account, which would likely require access to the client's email account.

 

[FremontPC]

Posted this over in TEO, give it a shot and see if it helps, haven't tried it yet myself:

https://www.technibble.com/forums/t...thout-access-to-the-sole-admin-account.70253/

 

[eugeneg]

Thanks ccrichie. I took a look at Fab but I don't think the $45 or time investment would be recoupable (spell check accepted that word !)

Thanks FremontPC, I'll investigate further tomorrow.

 

[tucsonpc]

For the sake of the conversation, Fabs is absolutely amazing. I've only used it on personal things and a friend's laptop, so I haven't "recouped" the cost, technically, but I love it none the less!

 

[resolvetech]

You would need to create a new (local) user profile, and then migrate the clients MS profile to the local one. Fabs Autobackup comes in handy for tasks such as this. You may or may not want to go that route, though. Outside of that, you would have to go through the password reset process for the MS account, which would likely require access to the client's email account.

Fabs Autobackup is a worthwhile investment for your tech tool bag...huge time saver!

 

[FremontPC]

Now, the question is can you create an admin account on one system that you have control of, then slave the customer's drive and plant that new account on it?

But yeah, Fabs = indispensable.

 

[FremontPC]

BTW, there are some coupons/discount codes for Fabs floating around. Transfers Outlook, Windows Mail accounts, etc., etc., very flexible, very handy. Everything that FAST should have been, but isn't.

 

[Porthos]

I took a look at Fab but I don't think the $45 or time investment would be recoupable (spell check accepted that word !)

The best investment most of us here have ever made.

You might see if @fabs might have a discount code available.

 

[tucsonpc]

The best investment most of us here have ever made.

You might see if @fabs might have a discount code available.

Or consider buying the TN Computer Business Kit, which I'm 99% sure includes a discount code for Fabs (as well as other popular vendors)

 

[ccritchie]

Thanks ccrichie. I took a look at Fab but I don't think the $45 or time investment would be recoupable (spell check accepted that word !)

Thanks FremontPC, I'll investigate further tomorrow.

Yeah, you may not recoup your expense for FABS on this one particular job, but believe me (and the other techs here on TN), it will pay for itself many times over in a short amount of time. It has many uses:

• Getting data off of a client's failing hard drive that won't boot
• Backing up a client's data prior to working on a system
• transferring a client's data when having to re-install or upgrade the operating system
• Moving clients over to a local account instead of the default MS account that they inadvertently set up on their Win8/Win10 machines.

I"m a mobile tech, and sometimes I only have a couple of appointments a week, but I'm using FABs on a pretty regular basis.

 

[Calx]

Thanks ccrichie. I took a look at Fab but I don't think the $45 or time investment would be recoupable (spell check accepted that word !)

Thanks FremontPC, I'll investigate further tomorrow.

I thought this, but I bought it and I can honestly say it was the best money I spent on my business. It saves so much time and extracts windows and office keys too. I wish I found out about it years ago.

 

[FremontPC]

It saves so much time and extracts windows and office keys too.

Though you have to install Produkey on the system for it to pick up those keys.

 

[Calx]

Though you have to install Produkey on the system for it to pick up those keys.

Fabs does it for you

 

[cypress]

Fabs does it for you

Ahh yes! Very true. I keep forgetting about that feature myself.

 

[MikeH]

I have a WIndows 10 Home PC to repair while the owner is away for a week. Problem is that it needs the user's MS password to log on to the only account but I don't know it and am unable to reach the client. How can I change the logon to local access (where I can reset the password by booting off a Linux CD) please ?

I had that problem today. I used a bootable cd that would let me enable tha Administrator local account. Then logged with the Administrator with no password. Then I had to via command prompt create an account and password. Windows 10 would not let me create a user with the system Administrator account I was logged into. I had to use the command prompt. I also had to give the admin account a password because when I would restart it would auto logon. I could not get to a point where I could choose the account I had created. From the Adminstrator account I made my user an Admin. I rebooted and was able to choose my new account. Once I was logged into Windows with my new account I had to use the command prompt again to disable the Local Administrator account. Did not want to leave it enabled. Rebooted again and my new user was listed and was able to log on and fix the pc. For some reason while using the local Administrator account there were a few things I could not do. I would get an error stating "can't do that with the system admin account". That's why I had to use the command prompt. Once you do what you have to do just remove the account you created and you should be golden. I don't write very well so I hope you understand what I wrote.