Solved How to get files off hard drive

[copiman]

I have a PC that I need to do a clean install. The PC is not accessible due to password unknown. Is there a way to obtain excel and word docs from the drive? I can connect it via usb to another pc, but I don't know where to look for the documents.

 

[caperjack]

I have a PC that I need to do a clean install. The PC is not accessible due to password unknown. Is there a way to obtain excel and word docs from the drive? I can connect it via usb to another pc, but I don't know where to look for the documents.

hello ,the usb device would be the best option ,one would assume if you created the files you must know where you stored the files ,but I understand ,you would first look in the documents folder ,if not ,depending on the version of MS office you used as to what file type they are save in ,any way newer office used docx for word ,then search the drive for them using the *.docx


different office file extentions .
https://support.office.com/en-au/ar...tensions-eca81dcb-5626-4e5b-8362-524d13ae4ec1

 

[Dwig]

If the HD is not encrypted then removing it and connecting it to another PC's USB using either an appropriate external HD case or an adapter like this one should give you access to the files on the drive:

Amazon.com: Sabrent USB 2.0 TO SATA/IDE 2.5/3.5/-INCH Hard Drive Converter With Power Supply & LED Activity Lights [4TB Support] (EC-AHDD): Computers & Accessories

I've used one of these to move files from the HD from a dying laptop to a new replacement laptop.

 

[copiman]

Thank you. I got it.

 

[TechnoMage]

Sorry I got here late. I was stopped by a train.

I'd just run the password removal tool, from a boot CD and then access my drive normally.
Any decent computer tech could do that for you.

I have to do that often, when someone drops off their PC to me for repair, and they don't give me their password.

Just sayin'

 

[caperjack]

Sorry I got here late. I was stopped by a train.

lol, I think I was hit by that same train

 

[copiman]

Sorry I got here late. I was stopped by a train.

I'd just run the password removal tool, from a boot CD and then access my drive normally.
Any decent computer tech could do that for you.

I have to do that often, when someone drops off their PC to me for repair, and they don't give me their password.

Just sayin'

Can you message me with the one you use. Mine don't work.

 

[Ztruker]

You could follow the instructions here How to Change the User Account Password if Unable to Login to Windows

 

[copiman]

You could follow the instructions here How to Change the User Account Password if Unable to Login to Windows

Will this work for Windows 8/8.1?

 

[Ztruker]

I believe so, yes. The key is replacing magnify.exe with cmd.exe so when you click on Magnify it opens a Command Prompt where you can enable the hidden Administrator account. Then you can logon with Administrator to make password changes to any account.