HP 2000 laptop with Windows 8 - Lost Administrator password

[Roscoe66]

I only have one login created which as Admin rights, however I've completely forgotten the password.   I can only login as a Guest.   I have no idea how to reset the main/admin account password and everything that I try tells me that I have to login as the Admin.   

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Roscoe66

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

Officially, your password can only be recovered if you use Microsoft account to login to the system , not a local account. Here is more information > https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/I-forgot-my-password-can-HP-hel...

If nothing helps, you will need to reimage your PC (reinstall Windows/perform HP Recovery). Let me know if you need assistance re. this approach.

There might be some other ways to get the issue fixed. You can search for them on your own but these are not official and might be illegal under certain curcumstances.

[Roscoe66]

I do believe that I need to reimage the laptop.   I recently purchaced a new software license for Microsoft Windows 10 with that plan in mind.   I was hoping that I could just place the disk in the CD Rom drive and boot from the disk to reinstall from scratch.   However, when I tried this, I was once again prompted for the Administrator password.   Right back to square one. There are not files that I care about on the hard drive, so if I could just refresh and reinstall from scratch, that would be fine with me.   How might I do that without the administrator password? 

[IT_WinSec]

Is this related to BIOS administrator password or HDD startup password ?

* If related to BIOS/startup password before Windows loads

In this case, please enter some password (wrong password) 3 times, press ENTER and you should receive a new window stating system disabled and a code similar to this one (should be 8 characters long)

Looking forward to your reply

[Roscoe66]

I don't think its the BIOS password.   I'm not getting any sort of prompt.   I'm able to boot up find, but I automatically get logged in as Guest.   I can get to the Windows login page where I can choose to pick the user ID with Admin rights, but I do not know the password.  

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

In this case, all you need to do is to reimage the PC.

If it came with Windows 8 preinstalled, try F11 option and HP Recovery. Here are detailed instructions >> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&as=true&section=ccweb&SFS=tdoc&language...

If you want Windows 10 - you may use the license you have.

Do you have a media with W10 - DVD or USB device ? Do you know how to install Windows 10 ?

[IT_WinSec]

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@IT_WinSec wrote:
 

Do you have a media with W10 - DVD or USB device ? Do you know how to install Windows 10 ?

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In case you do not have W10 DVD or USB ready, let me know and I will provide you instructions how to obtain it.

If you already have one, follow these instructions in order to boot from it and install :

* Boot the PC to BIOS - keep tapping F10 during start up

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled.

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled.

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes.

Details and description here >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive or the DVD

Power  on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the thumb drive or the DVD as a boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10