georgeriley
Gold Level Poster
Hi guys i need to format my wifes laptop windows 7 But she cant remember the original password is there anything we can do to solve this please thanks
format
- Thread starter georgeriley
- Start date
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Just boot from the windows disc and reinstall. If you need to get data off that's another story.
georgeriley
Gold Level Poster
she also doesnt have the disc
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Not a lot you can do without the disc.
If the disk is unencrypted, just take the drive out, pop it into another computer - you will probably need a sata interface to USB connector and transfer the files.
You don't need a password to transfer the files since the files would be unencrypted.
You're welcome
Alternatively, you can run ubuntu or any other free linux distro (distribution) on that computer and access the files freely.
Install ubuntu onto a usb and you can then run Ubuntu from that USB - change boot drive from the BIOS.
To install Ubuntu:
Download rufus: http://rufus.akeo.ie/
Download the ISO for Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/
Then run the Rufus exe and you can run Ubuntu from your USB as if it were a disc - the BIOS will recognise it as a disc.
When you run Ubuntu from your USB - click the try button - don't actually install it onto a local drive - you might end up accidentally deleting your files.
NOTE: You can access your files and back them up onto a secondary drive but you can't run the operating system without the password.
You can also reinstall Windows by creating a live windows USB installer - contact microsoft for more details. But to reinstall it, you will need the activation key. Contact the manufacturer for the activation key or for a new one - they MIGHT give one for you for free.
Alternatively, backup your data with ubuntu or by inserting the drive into another pc and then reinstall windows with a new product key - you will need to pay for that.
You can get a discount for windows 8.1 from:
US: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-for-Students/productID.288769600
UK: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msuk/en_GB/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/productID.288533400
If you purchase windows 8.1, you will get a free upgrade to Windows 10... I think. Somone double check that though, just to be sure.
If you have any questions as to how to install Ubuntu or following any of the instructions, feel free to ask
You don't need a password to transfer the files since the files would be unencrypted.
You're welcome
Alternatively, you can run ubuntu or any other free linux distro (distribution) on that computer and access the files freely.
Install ubuntu onto a usb and you can then run Ubuntu from that USB - change boot drive from the BIOS.
To install Ubuntu:
Download rufus: http://rufus.akeo.ie/
Download the ISO for Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/
Then run the Rufus exe and you can run Ubuntu from your USB as if it were a disc - the BIOS will recognise it as a disc.
When you run Ubuntu from your USB - click the try button - don't actually install it onto a local drive - you might end up accidentally deleting your files.
NOTE: You can access your files and back them up onto a secondary drive but you can't run the operating system without the password.
You can also reinstall Windows by creating a live windows USB installer - contact microsoft for more details. But to reinstall it, you will need the activation key. Contact the manufacturer for the activation key or for a new one - they MIGHT give one for you for free.
Alternatively, backup your data with ubuntu or by inserting the drive into another pc and then reinstall windows with a new product key - you will need to pay for that.
You can get a discount for windows 8.1 from:
US: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-for-Students/productID.288769600
UK: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msuk/en_GB/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/productID.288533400
If you purchase windows 8.1, you will get a free upgrade to Windows 10... I think. Somone double check that though, just to be sure.
If you have any questions as to how to install Ubuntu or following any of the instructions, feel free to ask
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
Firstly, why do you need to reinstall Windows? That's what I (we) take you to mean by I need to format my wifes laptop. Is it just because you've forgotten the password?
You don't need to know the current password in order to reinstall Windows, you'll set a new one when you do that. You will lose all existing data on the disk though.
If it's a commercial laptop it probably has a hidden recovery partition. If you Google the laptop make and model and "access recovery partition" you'll learn how to boot into the recovery partition. From there you just follow the instructions (it's usually called a Factory Reset) and the laptop will be restored to exactly the state it was in on the day you bought it. Again, you will lose all data that was on the disk. Alir has given you good instructions on how to copy the user data off before you do the Factory Reset.
georgeriley
Gold Level Poster
Hi its a factory reset im doing its got really sluggish too much rubbish on it .I was told to press f8 continuously then click repair pc it foes through sequence ie language then asks for password
georgeriley
Gold Level Poster
just to let you know its a Dell N5110 laptop