Cracking a Password

[4DSJW]

Unfortunate situation and I could use some help. My stepmom has dementia. She is also the one that takes took care of their finances, pays bills, etc. She no longer recognizes her computer and does not know how to log in. My dad needs access to that computer. It is a desktop PC and is most likely running Windows 10 or 11. My dad is an avowed luddite and will need to have someone do this for him. My sister will be there with him when this is done and she is fairly computer literate.

I know there are programs, etc, to do this but I am not asking you to tell me how to break into their computer. They are in NV and I am in NM. I'm asking, "who should my dad be calling, how does he find a reputable resource, and what should he be asking for?" They live in Fernley, about 30 minutes outside of Reno. Thx!

[Spanky8601]

As an older person I have the password(s) written down. So do most of my elder friends.

[Epaphroditus]

Put the hard drive onto another computer or external drive - no need to use it as a boot drive.

[4DSJW]

As an older person I have the password(s) written down. So do most of my elder friends.

I agree. All my passwords are on an encrypted file on a remote disk, and the password(s) for my sweetie to get into those files is in our Safety Deposit Box at the bank.

I'm guessing that my stepmom did have her passwords written down as well, at one point. She was always a bit protective of her computer and passwords because of her career as an admin in a law office. My dad let her be that way because he didn't want anything to do with "having" to use the computer. Her recent slip into dementia was pretty quick. One day she was using the computer, the next week she couldn't remember the password, about a week later she didn't recognize her own computer.

As I said in my first post, I am not asking anyone to tell me how to break in to a computer. After all, you don't know who I am. I need to know what kind of a tech to call, to go to my dad's house, and with my dad's permission, get into the computer. Thx!

[4DSJW]

Put the hard drive onto another computer or external drive - no need to use it as a boot drive.

Thank you. My dad is not capable of doing this, and I live in another state. They also do not have another computer in their house, so I'm not sure where that leaves this option.

The next step on this journey is that my dad (87 and legally, but not totally, blind) has asked my sister to take care of their bill paying and finances. She lives several hours away in CA. It will be easiest for her to have the computer at my dad's house functioning and accessible, then set up remote access between her house and my dad's computer.

[Marauder2003]

Where in NV is this? I would suggest Best Buy Geek Squad.

Is it the BIOS password or Windows password?

[4DSJW]

Where in NV is this? I would suggest Best Buy Geek Squad.

Is it the BIOS password or Windows password?

It is the Windows PW. They are in Fernley, about 20-30 minutes East of Reno.

[mikeyr]

Windows password is super easy to crack. Boot the machine into Linux and edit the password file, reboot and done in less than 5 minutes.

Lots of instructions on the web on how to do this, your sister should be able to do it when she is there.

Just google "how to use linux to reset windows password"

Or as already said, remove the drive and hook it to another machine (if you have one).

[67Cuda]

One day she was using the computer, the next week she couldn't remember the password, about a week later she didn't recognize her own computer.

That's pretty frickin fast. Not something else going on? Hope she gets better. My mom had dementia, it sucks.

[4DSJW]

"Sucks", is an understatement, as I'm sure you know. She has an appointment with a neurologist this month to look for other causes... or confirm dementia. Her mom also had dementia.

[Skip_Dog]

Does she have email on her phone that is not password protected? You may be able to use the password reset feature, but you need access to the primary email.
Lots of other ways to Crack a windows password. I would not take my old t1000 calculator to a "geek" squad guy... please do not go that route.

[4DSJW]

Does she have email on her phone that is not password protected? You may be able to use the password reset feature, but you need access to the primary email.
Lots of other ways to Crack a windows password. I would not take my old t1000 calculator to a "geek" squad guy... please do not go that route.

Thank you for all the suggestions (from everyone), but a harsh dose of reality. My stepmom is not able to work any devices at this point and my dad can barely see (as well as avoiding most electronics by choice). They do have an old flip phone but neither one of them really knows how to use it. When my sister is there for a visit she will have her hands full taking care of POA's, banking, bills, and other pressing issues. I don't expect that she will have the time or endurance to mess with the computer in any substantial way, other than to be present when someone comes in to unlock the PW. Unfortunately, that is just the reality of the current situation. Still looking for thoughts and suggestions on how I might be able to find a competent person to take care of that. Thx!

[nate76239]

No cousins, neicesnephews, neighbors? You can make a bootable USB drive such as the hirens boot drive on the link below. I?m sure there are youtube videos of how to do it, basically it boots like Windows and you go into the security menu and there are a couple of utilities. If the hard drive is not encrypted then you can change the account passwords.

https://www.hirensbootcd.org/usb-booting/

[arrix]

Windows password is super easy to crack. Boot the machine into Linux and edit the password file, reboot and done in less than 5 minutes.

Lots of instructions on the web on how to do this, your sister should be able to do it when she is there.

Just google "how to use linux to reset windows password"

Or as already said, remove the drive and hook it to another machine (if you have one).

This is the way.

[Ninety]

Find a local computer repair guy. Or IT professional.. have them make a house call and get it done..

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