Unlocking Windows Vista Laptop..

Hi there,
I have a windows vista laptop from HP. Unfortunately, I've lost the password. I have some very important file with emotional value attached with those. I want to unlock the laptop safely without losing any of my files.

Note: I don't have any password reset disk. I don't want to go for factory reset, in that steps I will lose all my files?

Any general / specific advice is appreciated. Thanks for responding.

Ahmed

Have you tried to recover the files using linux on a flash drive or DVD?

You can recover your files using a live linux distro to recover your files.

On another computer download the Mint Cinnamon iso file.

https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=302the

Download Rufus

https://rufus.ie/en/

Attach a USB flash drive and run Rufus. Select MBR as a partition scheme. Leave all boxes as checked. Press the select button and browse to the downloaded Mint iso file. Press start. All data on the USB flash drive will be wiped so backup any data on the USB flash drive.

Attach the USB flash drive to your Vista HP. Tapping Esc at boot should give you a boot menu. Select the USB flash drive. At the Mint desktop click on the folder icon in the lower left of the desktop. You should see a HDD icon in the left pane. Click it and browse to your important files which should be in the USERS directory.

Attach a USB HDD or flash drive. An icon will appear on the desktop and a file manage window will open. If not click the USB icon on the desktop. You can copy and paste files between the HDD and USB device. Don't select move, only copy.

No. I'm not familiar with "linux on a flash drive or DVD" processes?

Edited by buddy215, 18 May 2023 - 04:42 PM.

Read post #3....if you have any questions...ask John for further info.

I don't have access to my computer. Meaning as I lost my access password. Will these processes get access to my files? 

You need access to another computer to create a bootable USB of linux. Linux Mint is easy to work with. Very similar to Windows.  If access to another computer is not possible then a shop will be able to recover all files from the HDD.

Hi  JohnC_21,

I'd give a try with your steps..later.

Now regarding your solution: ...>>  A regular flash drive is ok?

Question: These processes will not give me access to my computer but it will allow me to download my files right?

Besides, can I do follow up with you when I've tried your steps in  a later times?

Thanks a lot...

Ahmed

John is offline right now.

Yes, a flash drive will work.

Yes, it will allow access to download the files but will not start Windows. You don't install Linux...use it as Live.

John will help you...he is very competent.

As buddy posted  a regular flash drive is okay. The linux distro does not touch the HDD. It runs from RAM and the USB flash drive. Depending on the amount of data to recover you may want to get another USB flash drive for the data backup.

If I don't reply to your questions then give me a PM but I will follow this thread.

Seeing as Vista is no longer supported with Security Updates you may want to install linux after recovering all your files. The main point to remember is to not install linux to your vista computer. There is an icon on the Mint desktop called Install. Don't click on that.

Once you get your data back there is another program that can reset your Vista if you still wish to use Vista but I don't recommend that.

Hi all of you,

( John C, Bleeping Madman & Moderator ),

Thanks for your careful suggestions. I'm not well familiar with the processes you've advised but, I will give a follow up as soon as I've tried your instructions on my vista laptop. I might need little more time to go through these steps, until then...thanks again. Have a great weekend.

Ahmed

I have exactly the same problem the OP had. I'll probably be back with questions.

Thanks