Microsoft Windows Surface RT 32 - Retrieve Lost Password?

studyingitalian

Laz123 yes I tried a few. But no luck. 

pbartlett

Yes, particularly as they seem to have just discovered  bug in windows 10 that leaves the security account manager database unprotected!

How to Protect Yourself From the New Windows 10 and 11 Security Bug (lifehacker.com)

JohnSwift10

try this

Reset Lost Windows 10 Password with Sticky Keys Method | Password Recovery (top-password.com)

[Deleted User]

pbartlett said:

one would hope it doesn't otherwise the security of the device if someone finds it and wants to access your data is zero.

I think this is one of the big misconceptions with Windows that having a password protects your data - it doesn't if you have physical access to the machine.

As per some of the latter comments, there are some hacks to gain elevated privileges to reset passwords that may work if it is a local Windows account (not for an online account) but the newer versions of Windows have made it more difficult as Windows Defender will get in the way but I think that can be disabled to prevent it.

The easiest option if you have the physical machine is take the hard disk out and mount it in another PC and take over any folders you need to access with admin privileges and voila all the data is available without any need to reset the password.

This would probably be the easier option for most PC's but the Surface pro has an mSATA SSD and the case is all glued together.

The only true way to protect the data on your device is drive encryption with something like Bitlocker - I wish more people understood this and took steps the encrypt their PC's. Most phones are encrypted by default nowadays, about time PC's were.

Neil_Jones

Deleted_User said:

pbartlett said:

one would hope it doesn't otherwise the security of the device if someone finds it and wants to access your data is zero.

I think this is one of the big misconceptions with Windows that having a password protects your data - it doesn't if you have physical access to the machine.

As per some of the latter comments, there are some hacks to gain elevated privileges to reset passwords that may work if it is a local Windows account (not for an online account) but the newer versions of Windows have made it more difficult as Windows Defender will get in the way but I think that can be disabled to prevent it.

The easiest option if you have the physical machine is take the hard disk out and mount it in another PC and take over any folders you need to access with admin privileges and voila all the data is available without any need to reset the password.

Its not just a Windows thing, it applies also to all operating systems.  It's just more convoluted outside of Windows but the same principle applies whatever flavour of Linux you take.  Heck, even booting off a Live CD does more or less the same job without a need to remove anything.

Bitlocker is only available in Pro and higher versions of Windows from (IIRC) Vista upwards.  However it doesn't always get on with SSDs:

https://www.howtogeek.com/fyi/you-cant-trust-bitlocker-to-encrypt-your-ssd-on-windows-10/

debitcardmayhem

@[Deleted User]  @Neil_Jones waste of time and space talking about the pros and cons of bitlocker etc, this thread is about the ability to retrieve a password for a surface rt so the op can access the photos that they think may be on said device, and having not not used the device for circa 4-5 years I ask are they sure there are photos on it that are priceless / irreplaceable ?..... this thread has gone with the lost password and the photos they want to give the device away !!!!!! I would reset it and if you and others want  to discuss the ins and outs of passwords/encryption of disks/cracking a walnut I would say start a new thread.

Sorry if I am being cynical (well ok I'm not and I am)

[Deleted User]

debitcardmayhem said:

@[Deleted User]  @Neil_Jones waste of time and space talking about the pros and cons of bitlocker etc, this thread is about the ability to retrieve a password for a surface rt so the op can access the photos that they think may be on said device, and having not not used the device for circa 4-5 years I ask are they sure there are photos on it that are priceless / irreplaceable ?..... this thread has gone with the lost password and the photos they want to give the device away !!!!!! I would reset it and if you and others want  to discuss the ins and outs of passwords/encryption of disks/cracking a walnut I would say start a new thread.

Sorry if I am being cynical (well ok I'm not and I am)

I provided an alternative solution to the forgotten password in my comment that hadn't been suggested so far as well as answering a concern from another comment - so personally I think I was sticking close to the topic whilst reminding people that a Windows password doesn't protect your data from unauthorised access.

studyingitalian

UPDATE. Hurray I found I backed up the photos after all! They are on a flash drive. Amazing what the subconscious brings to the surface of memory when pushed! So I can go ahead with donating the Surface to the Rotary appeal.

studyingitalian

Thanks everyone!

debitcardmayhem

[Deleted User] said:

pbartlett said:

one would hope it doesn't otherwise the security of the device if someone finds it and wants to access your data is zero.

I think this is one of the big misconceptions with Windows that having a password protects your data - it doesn't if you have physical access to the machine.

As per some of the latter comments, there are some hacks to gain elevated privileges to reset passwords that may work if it is a local Windows account (not for an online account) but the newer versions of Windows have made it more difficult as Windows Defender will get in the way but I think that can be disabled to prevent it.

The easiest option if you have the physical machine is take the hard disk out and mount it in another PC and take over any folders you need to access with admin privileges and voila all the data is available without any need to reset the password.

This would probably be the easier option for most PC's but the Surface pro has an mSATA SSD and the case is all glued together.

The only true way to protect the data on your device is drive encryption with something like Bitlocker - I wish more people understood this and took steps the encrypt their PC's. Most phones are encrypted by default nowadays, about time PC's were.

[Deleted User] said:

debitcardmayhem said:

@[Deleted User]  @Neil_Jones waste of time and space talking about the pros and cons of bitlocker etc, this thread is about the ability to retrieve a password for a surface rt so the op can access the photos that they think may be on said device, and having not not used the device for circa 4-5 years I ask are they sure there are photos on it that are priceless / irreplaceable ?..... this thread has gone with the lost password and the photos they want to give the device away !!!!!! I would reset it and if you and others want  to discuss the ins and outs of passwords/encryption of disks/cracking a walnut I would say start a new thread.

Sorry if I am being cynical (well ok I'm not and I am)

I provided an alternative solution to the forgotten password in my comment that hadn't been suggested so far as well as answering a concern from another comment - so personally I think I was sticking close to the topic whilst reminding people that a Windows password doesn't protect your data from unauthorised access.

I didn't see the alternative EDIT not sure I can see a viable one, but hey I was possibly wrong  but my point was the fact was about the futility of....  oh wait

studyingitalian said:

UPDATE. Hurray I found I backed up the photos after all! They are on a flash drive. Amazing what the subconscious brings to the surface of memory when pushed! So I can go ahead with donating the Surface to the Rotary appeal.

I