[SOLVED] Is there a way to use a VM to boot up win 10 from a HDD

Fierce Melon

Prominent
Jul 13, 2019
5
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510
So my grams Laptop recently broke and I need to somehow get onto the device to extract the Passwords and files off of it and also find out what she uses for her Microsoft account. I spoke to MS tech support but couldn't help. Can I boot the system up in a virtual environment on my computer? O r is there a easier alternative? thx in advance!
 
Solution
So the data on it would still be safe? Would I be able to do it in a VM like mentioned in title
Converting an otherwise working HDD to a VM


https://serverfault.com/questions/56429/convert-a-hard-drive-into-a-vmware-machine

https://community.spiceworks.com/to...-readable-hard-disk-drive-from-a-fried-server
Try taking the hard drive out of the laptop and using a SATA to USB 3.0 to access the files from another computer. It looks something like this. You'll be able to navigate the contents of the drive and retrieve any files given the hard drive itself is not damaged. If the drive is damaged you will need to send it off to expert data retrievers.
 

Fierce Melon

Prominent
Jul 13, 2019
5
0
510
Try taking the hard drive out of the laptop and using a SATA to USB 3.0 to access the files from another computer. It looks something like this. You'll be able to navigate the contents of the drive and retrieve any files given the hard drive itself is not damaged. If the drive is damaged you will need to send it off to expert data retrievers.
I have it hooked up and have gotten all the basic data off of it but I need to run it to try get the Chrome Passwords off and find the email used for MS products
 
I have it hooked up and have gotten all the basic data off of it but I need to run it to try get the Chrome Passwords off and find the email used for MS products

You should be able to boot up with the drive then since it's working. If you're on a desktop go into your BIOS and override the boot order to boot directly into that drive. Once logged in you should be able to access chrome. Or alternatively if your grams has logged into chrome with an email then the passwords should carry over via sync when she logs into chrome on another device. Though the setting would need to have been on prior.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
You should be able to boot up with the drive then since it's working. If you're on a desktop go into your BIOS and override the boot order to boot directly into that drive. Once logged in you should be able to access chrome. Or alternatively if your grams has logged into chrome with an email then the passwords should carry over via sync when she logs into chrome on another device. Though the setting would need to have been on prior.
Booting up a laptop drive in a desktop often does not work.
It might, but don't be surprised at full fail mode.
 

Fierce Melon

Prominent
Jul 13, 2019
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510
It completely fails to boot up.
Or, in the process of trying to make itself boot up, it changes things so much that it can't boot in the old system. But that is apparently not a concern, because the old laptop is dead in some way.
So the data on it would still be safe? Would I be able to do it in a VM like mentioned in title
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
So the data on it would still be safe? Would I be able to do it in a VM like mentioned in title
Converting an otherwise working HDD to a VM


https://serverfault.com/questions/56429/convert-a-hard-drive-into-a-vmware-machine

https://community.spiceworks.com/to...-readable-hard-disk-drive-from-a-fried-server
 
Solution