Question Windows 11 Recover Woes

[Switgasm]

EDIT: Resolved https://www.hirensbootcd.org/faq-items/resetting-windows-password/

Family members laptop had slowed to a crawl. All signs pointed to a corrupted windows install. (Explorer not fully starting unable to access setting menu etc) Ran windows repair or what ever it’s called. In an attempt to keep the files intact I choice the route that was not a full reset but just a reinstall of windows.

Went perfectly, system now boots near instantly HOWEVER they were using a pin to log in and now post reset the system is requiring the real password which of course the family member does not remember. Windows has a password key file but I would have needed to generate that pre reset.

Basically I’m pooched.

The ask: What now? I cannot get back into the recovery mode to do a full wipe anymore nor do I want to. Back in the “old days” I used to have methods for this but it’s been so long since then. What is the best path forward?

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

....................the system is requiring the real password which of course the family member does not remember.

Just enter any password and that should generate the "Forgotten password" option. Click on it and follow the prompts.

 

[Switgasm]

Just enter any password and that should generate the "Forgotten password" option. Click on it and follow the prompts.

I tried that, I am prompted with the following message. "This feature requires removable media such as a usb flash drive. please connect a usb flash drive and then try again." If I put in a random drive it comes up with the reset wizard but then states that It is looking for the password key as mentioned in the original post, I would have needed to generate that while I still had access to the account.

 

[Switgasm]

This is now resolved I used Hirens boot see FAQ on what to do https://www.hirensbootcd.org/faq-items/resetting-windows-password/

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

Thanks for the tip and the update.