I received a laptop with a damaged display and a locked password.
I received a laptop with a damaged display and a locked password.
She had a laptop whose screen failed just before she passed away, and we don’t have the password or PIN. Can we still access its files and recover pictures and videos? The machine still boots when connected to a monitor, and it’s running Windows 8. Her email came through her ISP, but her subscription was deactivated after her death. We’ve tested every possible password she used elsewhere, but nothing is recorded. I wasn’t sure if we could physically remove the drive and store it in a case for another computer to retrieve the data. We also attempted Microsoft’s recovery tool, which refused our request, claiming insufficient information. We hope to restore the laptop again—either as a secondary desktop with a monitor or connected to a TV for retro gaming.
Many files will remain secured by Windows protection mechanisms, preventing access even when moved to another computer.
Starting the laptop from a Linux live environment should let you transfer essential directories such as Documents, Pictures, and Desktop to an external storage device. This works best if the external drive isn’t protected by encryption tools like BitLocker.
I successfully connected the HDD to another machine and extracted all the photos. Next, I plan to erase the drive, reinstall Windows, and look for a useful laptop despite the damaged screen. Appreciate the advice!
If you prefer not to use it as a portable laptop, another method involves utilizing its computing features. We encountered a broken screen on the loaned device and also faced issues with a faulty screen driver chip. By replacing the damaged display and restoring the good one, we regained functionality. If data recovery wasn't possible, the recommended approach was to install a Linux live environment, transferring files and folders to a different storage drive. This process is becoming routine for me as I set up Linux on new systems, typically using SSDs, and then move Windows files accordingly for users. The simplest solution involves connecting a SATA-to-USB cable to 2.5-inch drives or using an adapter for larger drives.