W8 reinstall

Hope this is an "Installation and Setup" question.
I've searched here and Google but can't find an answer I can understand. (Not computer literate.)
I have removed and reinstalled W8 from my PC. In the original installation, W8 booted automatically to the desktop. Now it boots up to a password screen showing an email address I haven't used in 2-3 years. I don't know the password (apparently I had one for W8 login) and Google apparently has erased all traces of the email address.
I have found a program purporting to get me back in to W8 but it costs $20. I have found a number of sites explaining how to change password. BUT I can't find how to find/change the login password. How do I get in to W8?

The forum rules do not allow us to tell you how to crack your password.

The program you are referring to, make sure it says it can get you into a "Microsoft account" (the one showing your email address at login). A "Local account" does not show your email addresses at login.

If you do not want to spend any money, I know of two choices you have. First, reinstall Windows and when you get to the screen where it asks you for your password, leave it blank. This is during the installation of Windows. You will boot directly to the desktop.

Second is to activate the Built-in Administrator Account and create a new administrator account (without a password). You would have to abandon your old account. Here is a guide to activate the Build-in Administrator Account. You would use Option Two.

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/76150-w8-reinstall.html

Thanks for the help. DLd an iso and put it on CD. I can run it, but have to pay to reset password. But I've learned something, I think. The program lists an account with the gmail address and has it as password protected. It also lists "Administrator," but it is "Open." Does that mean there is no password on Administrator and, if so, how do I boot to Administrator and NOT the account requiring a gmail password? I see no way on the initial screen to change to any other account.

Sorry, this is the guide to activate the Build-In Administrator Accounts. You would use option Two. Yes, the built-in administrator has no password.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...rator-account-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html

Very good. everything works perfectly until I get to step 6 > " Select the SAM file, and click/tap on Open."
At that point, I get File In Use.
FWIW, only way I can find to get to the Command Prompt and regedit is by putting a recovery disk in CD drive.

Very good. everything works perfectly until I get to step 6 > " Select the SAM file, and click/tap on Open."
At that point, I get File In Use.
FWIW, only way I can find to get to the Command Prompt and regedit is by putting a recovery disk in CD drive.

This is just a guess, at the login screen, is there a way to Shutdown? If so, hold down the Shift key and then click Shutdown. This should completely shutdown your computer. Next put in your recovery disc and try again.

>>at the login screen, is there a way to Shutdown?
No

Give this a try, How to add the Power Options at Start Screen. You will have to enter the registry with the recovery cd again.

How to Add or Remove ?Power Options? Button from Start Screen in Windows 8.1? - AskVG

Thanks for the link. Before I start, I want to make sure we're all talking about the same thing.
Right now, I'm stuck on the "Region and Language" screen. Have to hit SHIFT/F10 to access the Command prompt. To me, that isn't the START screen. BTW, I'm able to boot from the PC to get to "Region and Language." Do I continue with W8 setup until I'm able to get to the start screen?

Forget about the start screen, that was a mistake.

Ok, what I was trying to accomplish with the link above is to give you a way to Shutdown from the login screen (first holding down the Shift key and clicking Shutdown). I thought the link above would do that but I was mistaken. I found a guide to remove the Power Options button from the login screen but you can also add it with the same guide.

Using your recovery cd, enter the registry the same way you did earlier. At the launage screen hit SHIFT/F10. Type regedit at the command prompt. Then follow this guide to add the Power Options button to the login screen. Now don't forget the guide is to remove the option so you want to change the DWORD value to 1 and not 0. That should give you the Shutdown option at the login screen. Exit and shutdown your computer.

How to Remove the Shut Down Button from the Windows Login Screen

Start your computer normally and when you get to the login screen, hopefully the shutdown button will be thre. It's in the bottom right hand corner of the screen (look at the first picture in the guide). Hold down the shift key and click shutdown.

Now try to enable the Build-in Administrator account again following the guide.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...rator-account-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html

Very good. I'M IN!!!!!!! Thanks for the patience. One last question. I want to boot to Desktop and not START. I found a web page purporting to give instructions, but I have no "Navigation" tab (step 2). What now?
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-boot-directly-to-the-desktop-in-windows-8-1/

That's great news, one thing I want to tell you is to create a new administrator account for yourself and use that. Leave the password section blank if you do not want to use one. Then disable the Built-in Administrator account. That is not suppost to be used for everyday use.

Are you on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1? I think it makes a difference. The guide your link points to is 8.1

If you're on Win 8.1, try this guide. I feel it's better. .

How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

If you are on Windows 8, you can try this. Let me know if that doesn't work as there are a few other options.

How to Boot to the Desktop & Skip Metro in Windows 8