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Question

I forgot my admin password

Sep 3, 2018 5:05AM PDT

I have a Dell Inspiron N5110.

I have forgotten my password to access my computer. There is a guest account install, but I don't think I can do much from there.

I have tried booting up using the f8 method and clicking launch startup repair, but I get "windows failed to start 0xc000000f".

I'm assuming my laptop is too old and needs an update before it can open the launch startup repair.

Im looking into a method in which I download windows 7 Home Premium from a different laptop and install in through a USB, but my product key (which is printed on the back of my laptop) doesn't work (pre-installed software on this device).

I'm lost on what to do! I have lots of important files I want to recover

Please help

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Nope.
Sep 3, 2018 5:37AM PDT

Post was last edited on September 3, 2018 5:40 AM PDT

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Not windows 10
Sep 10, 2018 9:12AM PDT

My broken computer is windows 7. Although the computer I would use to help fix it is windows 10. Will your solution still work if my computer is windows 7?

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Try this CNET howto.
Sep 10, 2018 9:20AM PDT
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Answer
Password
Sep 3, 2018 9:11AM PDT

Remove the disk from the laptop.
Put it in an enclosure.
Plug it into a working machine and copy out this important stuff.
Put the disk back into the laptop and play around with different password reset methods and tools.
If everything fails use the factory restore media.
Once you have all the updates done your important files can be copied back.

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Feeling lucky
Sep 10, 2018 9:30AM PDT

Hey Bob, your solution seems so easy I can't believe I never figured it could be this easy.

However, do you perhaps have a video tutorial on how to complete this transfer. I assume it's easy enough to do myself. What do I need to buy in preperation for this?

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Buy
Sep 10, 2018 10:58AM PDT
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Answer
Have to go with tough luck.
Sep 3, 2018 9:55AM PDT

You can't use the OS reinstall since it's OEM. That changed with W10 but you are back on W7 so the old rule is still there.

Get the drive out, copy out what's important then try repairs and factory restore..

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Answer
Re: forgot password
Sep 3, 2018 10:52AM PDT

Startup repair won't change password. Do what Bob__B says: after backing up your try the different password reset methods you find (like the Utilman trick, ntpasswd program or booting from an install disk, going to the command prompt and make a new user with net user command.

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Answer
Check Dell support
Sep 4, 2018 10:34AM PDT
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Reset Windows password
Sep 30, 2018 1:27AM PDT

You can bypass the Windows password and login the laptop.
Or if you can handle the command prompt, you can use it to reset Windows password and then login with the new password.

Step 1: Restart your Windows 7 computer and hold on pressing F8 to enter Advanced Boot Options.

Step 2: Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt in the coming screen and press Enter.

Step 3: In pop-up command prompt window, type net user and hit Enter. Then all Windows 7 user accounts would be listed in the window. Just find the login user which ever appeared again and again on Windows 7 logon screen.
Step 4: Remove Windows 7 login user password with net user command.

This link may help you: https://www.isunshare.com/windows-7-password/bypass-windows-7-logon-screen-and-admin-password.html