Windows Password Recovery Tool
 

Is this bogus?
https://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com/

I have an older Sony Flip 15 running Win 8.1 and the PW has been long forgotten. So far I've downloaded and burned 3 versions of their software (I only paid for one) and nothing works. They have me tapping F2, F8 ESC to get into BIOS.

All I can get is the sign in screen. I've re[repeatedly asked for my money back but they keep stringing me along. Should I play along or file a complaint with their state attorney and mine?

I know getting into the BIOS is your chief issue, that can be annoying. But next time you don't need to pay for anything to recover the password. Microsoft provides a free utility for this called DART.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-desktop-optimization-pack/dart-v10/creating-the-dart-10-recovery-image

You should power the laptop off, power it on and hold down the F2 key. One of two things should happen. Either a keyboard error that should let you into the BIOS, oir it should let you into the BIOS.

Scott, after reading your post I booted it holding down the F2 key. Went right past any other screen and directly to the PW screen. I might be doing things wrong but I had a flash drive in the USB while booting and it did blink like it was recognized. But no dice.

Let me take some time to understand how the DART works and I'll report back.

Thank you.

Well Milt, I have seen users try to do the recover but, none of the programs ever worked? From the Microsoft site:

If you've forgotten your Windows password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:
If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.

If you're using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info, see Reset your password.

If you're using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.

If you still can't sign in and are using Windows 8.1, you must reinstall Windows. For Windows RT 8.1, contact your PC manufacturer.


Good luck old timer.
John

I use this one. it is free and works pretty well
you will have to burn it to a CD and boot from that. once you tell it to remove the password it will ask you if you want to write back changes of course you have to answer yes or it will not save the changes

Offline Windows Password & Registry Editor

+1 to ntpasswd

This is actually my wife's old lap top. When she got it I didn't interfere. I have come to realize that she most likely did not set up an admin account. I know there's a default admin account lurking in there somewhere, but getting the user PW screen to NOT show up has been a problem for a few days now.

You would think I could get the damn thing to a least give me an error message, or something. Is it something about the Win 8.1 OS?

Just boot your laptop from Windows install disc, and you can reset your forgotten password or create a new user with the following backdoor:
https://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-windows-password-the-easy-way/
https://www.top-password.com/knowledge/reset-windows-10-password-without-reset-disk.html

This method works with Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10.

Thank you. And your first post. I feel honored. :D

However, all of a sudden my wife remembered a symbol that she used in the PW and I'm in. In only to discover that the LT is basically toast. Must be a corrupted hard drive or something serious. It takes minutes to close a window. I thought at first the keyboard wasn't working, that's how slow it is. Not a bad machine really but she never did like it from day one. Has a stylus for the touch screen. I guess I'll see if I can find the Win 8 info so I can get a copy and install a new HD.

Or I might just take it in to a shop. I think it's been 15 years since I installed a Windows OS. Not like riding a bike.

Just upgrade to Windows 10 and it's much faster than Windows 8, I think.

I did it yesterday, but the computer still can't recognize it .

I'm late, reinstalling the system is redundant.
You can do that follow :
https://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-windows-password-the-easy-way/
https://www.passfolk.com/
https://www.iseepassword.com/reset-windows-10-password.html

It makes sense to reinstall on a new computer,everything can strat over.But the reason many people don't want to reinstall is because they don't want to lose everything in their computer.
Try doing this without reinstalling:
https://www.windows10passwordreset.com/
http://www.oxid.it/