Don't remember password

[jogalho2]

Hi everyone! So we got a hp pavillion 15 notebook pc in 2015 for my sister and after she graduated high school in 2018 she stopped using it so it been in a drawer since. Recently me and brother were trying to use it but my sister doesn't remember the password at all so we tried recovering it but she put double verification so it says we need to put the email she put as a back up but surprise! She doesn't remember it either. Any advice helps. Last resort is to completely restart it because my mom has her photos saved on the laptop. It's has windows 8 idk if that helps.

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hi @jogalho2,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding accessing an HP Pavilion 15 Notebook PC without a password!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Use a Password Reset Disk:

• If your sister created a password reset disk when setting up her account, you can use it to reset the password. Insert the disk and follow the prompts to reset.

Utilize Built-in Administrator Account:

• Some versions of Windows come with a built-in Administrator account that might be accessible without a password.
• Boot into Safe Mode and see if you can access this account.
• To boot into Safe Mode, restart the laptop and repeatedly press F8 or Shift+F8 as it starts.

Reset Windows Password Using Safe Mode:

• During start-up, press and hold Shift while selecting Restart to access the Advanced Startup Settings.
• Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart", then select "Safe Mode".
• Try accessing a different administrator account, if any exists.

Perform a Factory Reset:

• Warning: A factory reset will erase all data on the laptop.
• Turn on the laptop and repeatedly press the F11 key until the "Recovery Manager" screen appears.
• Follow the prompts to reset the PC to factory settings, which will remove all user accounts and data.

Use Third-Party Software:

• Tools like "Offline NT Password & Registry Editor" can be utilized to reset or remove Windows passwords.
• Be cautious as third-party software might not always be reliable and can pose security risks.

Reinstallation of Windows:

• Use a Windows installation USB or DVD to install a fresh copy of Windows.
• This process will again wipe all existing data on the laptop.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,