Access hidden files and folders on a Windows 8 HDD by using specialized tools or built-in recovery methods.
Access hidden files and folders on a Windows 8 HDD by using specialized tools or built-in recovery methods.
I'm assisting a friend who lost access to their Windows 8 PC. Since resetting the password wasn't possible, I'm backing up all data from the HDD before reformatting to Windows 10. The drive is connected to another machine and appears functional, but most of the x:\Users\username folders are hidden, suggesting permission issues. I'm attempting to claim ownership of the entire drive to retrieve everything, encountering errors like "device which does not exist." I've tried various file/folder ownership tools without success. Any advice would be appreciated.
You're curious about using a bootable USB like Ultimate Boot CD. It could work if your system is stuck or doesn't boot normally. Let me know if you'd like tips on troubleshooting or recommendations for similar tools.