Locked Laptop

[Giggsie]

Long story my grandaughters shared a laptop one was user first , each had there own setup. This was way back last year they both got tablets laptop forgotten about. Now we have decided to use computer to set up a printer and downloading software it comes up with user name and password to continue. One remembers her password no good. It must be users password and she does not know. Anything we can do about this. Is there a way round it?

[Buenchico]

It's easier to hack passwords on older versions of Windows than on more recent ones. So do you know which version of Windows is on the laptop?

[Giggsie]

Sorry buenchico it's a Windows 10 64 bit laptop.

[Buenchico]

Hmmm.

The method I've used for breaking passwords (which involves using another Windows machine to download special software to a memory stick) might not work with Windows 10.

Try this instead (as long as you don't mind wiping all of the documents, pictures, etc which were on the laptop):

When you get to the password screen, press the Shift key down and keep it held down.

Go to Start > Restart. (You can release the Shift key now).

That should bring up a 'Choose an Option' screen. Select 'Troubleshoot'.

From the next screen select 'Reset Your PC'.

At the next screen (telling you what will happen when you reset), click 'Next'.

At the next screen select 'Only the drive where Windows is installed'.

Click on 'Just remove my files'.

Click on 'Reset'

The laptop should reboot as if there was never any account on it.

[Togo]

Have you tried changing the account of the one who does know the password to "user"? Or at a pinch setting up a new account with user privileges?

[Giggsie]

Thanks buenchico will try this tomorrow. Togo we were looking at how we could change accounts but did not know how. We cannot get the printer software downloaded because of this.

[Togo]

Just make the one who remembers the password on the lappie "administrator" . This privilege allows the account user to "make changes" or to access procedures. Also a new account without password (just do not enter anything in the field) grants administrator privilege automatically.

[Togo]

a. Press Window key + X and select Control Panel.
b. Click on User accounts.
c. Click on Manage another account.
d. Click on the new account that you have just created.
e. Click on Change account type settings.
f. Click on Change account type.
g. Click on ADMINISTRATOR.
h. Click on Change account type.
i. Restart the computer.

Then set up your printer using this account.

[Togo]

Read through this Giggsie. Tells you how to reset a forgotten password W10.

https://www.howtogeek.com/222262/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-password-in-windows-10/

[Giggsie]

Thankyou Togo going to try this today knew there must be something we could do. It is a nightmare trying with this printer it is a canon mg 3053 just cannot get it to connect wirelessly . I have been trying but no cant do it. My Hp printer on my laptop was so simple.

[Togo]

Are you absolutely sure that the cannon is hooked up to your router Giggsie? Some printers can connect themselves if they have a wps button. All you have to do is press the wps button on the router and the printer within 30 seconds or so of each other and they find each other.

[Togo]

Here you go Giggsie. Your printer does have that facility.
//Some access points (sometimes referred to as routers or hubs) feature an automatic connection button labelled “WPS” which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
This allows permitted devices such as your PIXMA MG3550 to connect to your network without needing to enter a password and it enables a quick and easy method of connecting your devices.
This method is by far the easiest way of connecting your PIXMA MG3550, so if your access point has a WPS button please select the ‘WPS Connection Method’ tab below for instructions on connecting using this method.//
https://www.canon.co.uk/support/consumer_products/pixma_printer_wireless_connection_setup/mg3550_printer_wireless_connection_setup/

[Giggsie]

Thankyou Togo for all your detailed help. This is the site we have been trying to connect through the wps button. We get both lights to flash (searching) but will not get to stage of continuously lit. Whilst doing this should the laptop be connected by cable to printer or not.

[Togo]

Not necessarily Giggsie. Plus you laptop should hook up to the printer wirelessly once it also recognises the printer is present. Are you sure that the printer and lappie are now conversant. Did the printer come with an install disc? If not you can install drivers etc on line.

[Giggsie]

Thank you for all this help togo. Have tried downloading the software that's when we discovered it had to be the user password was needed. It will be I think Sunday now before we go back to have another go but really appreciate your help. I will try all you have detailed for me. I will keep you updated how we got on.

[Togo]

You will get there Giggsie. Myself....I would firstly be getting an account up and running with administrator privileges on the lappie. Then I would be running the install disc and checking that it is listed in recognised devices in settings. You will need to specify wireless or cable connection at some stage during the set up. Then I would be getting the router and printer on terms with each other. I don't know whether the printer is in, say, a different room or on a different floor to other wifi connected appliances(the lappie for instance) and therefore not getting good signal but a channel change on the router(hub) may help. Perhaps the printer is subject to some local interference of the wifi signal. I will keep an eye on your thread, as I would love a post saying bingo ringo we are running. I will also confess that the one thing in the house that fills me with dread is the bleedin printer going off line. Always a pain in the chuff.

[Giggsie]

No luck Togo. When I tried to add account it always asks for Microsoft account email address. Tried other email addresses but no. When I tried to change user account details it always comes back to user name and password needed. I tried your link to reset password in Windows 10 but you still need the user name to reset it. Why are things so complicated? Well to me that knows not much they are. Might need to get someone to reset everything back to factory settings maybe that would work. Thanks for all your help.