29 replies to this topic

[chillipig]

I've started to come up against a problem at work due to the new ability to use a Microsoft account to login to windows 8.

I often have to test PCs when customers return them with alleged faults for a well known company, but frequently the person returning the machine is not the user /only user.
This hasn't been a problem until now as there are lots of Windows password removal tools including some free programs but now I'm starting to encounter Microsoft account passwords which cannot be reset in the same way a local password can.

Having had a good look out there I can find only one title that claims to do it: http://www.top-passw...s-password.html

Problem is the company actually has this site blocked by its content filtering software and the rules state that the company expenses account can only be used through the company Internet connection by the designated employee.

I can request this site be taken off the blacklist but the process takes 4-8 weeks and I am getting 2-3 a day which is causing me a backlog.

I have tried proxies but they are all blocked and wouldn't be a good idea when using a credit card anyway.

So can anyone advise me how I could remove/find this type of password manually or any other software they know of retail or freeware?

Many Thanks.

[Shane Nokes]

I can guarantee you that the software will not be able to offer you resets on another persons Microsoft Account.

So don't waste your time trying to pay for their services when it's not something they can do. They don't have access to any of the tools required to do so.

[Ambroos]

I doubt it's possible. If people forget their Microsoft Account password just have them go through Microsoft's own recovery steps.

[ahhell]

"I'm starting to encounter Microsoft account passwords which cannot be reset in the same way a local password can"

That's the whole point in them using a Microsoft account so that people CAN'T reset/"hack" the account.

Is there a way to enable the admin account and log in?

[Detection]

Just tell the company you can't repair the machine without the log in details, any machine sent without them will be returned

[chillipig]

Shane Nokes, on 30 November 2012 - 19:57, said:

I can guarantee you that the software will not be able to offer you resets on another persons Microsoft Account.

So don't waste your time trying to pay for their services when it's not something they can do. They don't have access to any of the tools required to do so.

I'm not trying to reset their account login with microsoft itself, just to gain access to the the windows 8 desktop under their user so I can replicate the fault they have reported. I cant ask a customer for their MS account password in the same way I could with a local account as I would then have access to all their MS services too.

[HeyRatFans]

Detection, on 30 November 2012 - 20:02, said:

Just tell the company you can't repair the machine without the log in details, any machine sent without them will be returned

Unless you're (the op that is) charging them for data recovery too, then this.

[+Brando212]

chillipig, on 30 November 2012 - 20:04, said:

I'm not trying to reset their account login with microsoft itself, just to gain access to the the windows 8 desktop under their user so I can replicate the fault they have reported. I cant ask a customer for their MS account password in the same way I could with a local account as I would then have access to all their MS services too.

there is no way to do this without having their MS password

[Detection]

chillipig, on 30 November 2012 - 20:04, said:

I'm not trying to reset their account login with microsoft itself, just to gain access to the the windows 8 desktop under their user so I can replicate the fault they have reported. I cant ask a customer for their MS account password in the same way I could with a local account as I would then have access to all their MS services too.

That's like saying you want access to their hotmail emails but you don't want their password to do it

Windows 8 Live Login, IS their email account to put it simply.

Tell the company to start forcing users to use Local accounts instead


What you are asking is contradicting what you are wanting to do

[jordanspringer]

Have the user set a 4 digit PIN or use Picture Password to unlock their Microsoft Account.

[Detection]

jordanspringer, on 30 November 2012 - 20:12, said:

Have the user set a 4 digit PIN or use Picture Password to unlock their Microsoft Account.

Good thinking, that would work

[chillipig]

jordanspringer, on 30 November 2012 - 20:12, said:

Have the user set a 4 digit PIN or use Picture Password to unlock their Microsoft Account.

If everyone used a local A/C with no password that would suit me down to the ground but the reality is they just assume a computer company has some special tool to temporarily turn off their password in the same way USA customs does with TSA locks. Actually most customers just see it as the companies problem and couldn't give a toss. Beyond that trying to call them multiple times a day to get their password isn't practical, even when they write them down the handwriting can be bad/ misspelled /just wrong.

All I need is access to their desktop in a local sense, if their login credentials for MS on line are removed in the progress thats fine.

[Shane Nokes]

chillipig, on 30 November 2012 - 20:04, said:

I'm not trying to reset their account login with microsoft itself, just to gain access to the the windows 8 desktop under their user so I can replicate the fault they have reported. I cant ask a customer for their MS account password in the same way I could with a local account as I would then have access to all their MS services too.

My point (as others have pointed out) is that the account used for sign-in and their Microsoft Account are one and the same in those cases.

The only way to request a reset for that password is to actually reset their MA password. That software is not going to do that...if they claim otherwise it's a scam and should be avoided.


Reading your latest post...I honestly think you should hand this off to someone else. I think this may be a case where the depth is a bit much for your level of expertise. I don't mean that as an insult, but an honest assessment based on what I've read.

[chillipig]

Shane Nokes, on 30 November 2012 - 20:30, said:

My point (as others have pointed out) is that the account used for sign-in and their Microsoft Account are one and the same in those cases.

The only way to request a reset for that password is to actually reset their MA password. That software is not going to do that...if they claim otherwise it's a scam and should be avoided.


Reading your latest post...I honestly think you should hand this off to someone else. I think this may be a case where the depth is a bit much for your level of expertise. I don't mean that as an insult, but an honest assessment based on what I've read.

I do understand what you are saying in that Windows 8 is designed so that it aligns itself with the users on line services as soon as the login window is presented but thats why I titled this thread "password hack." the resulting "damage" to the account credentials and ability to resume using the account locally is of no importance as long as I can see why their webcam isnt working under that particular user for example.

I suppose you could loosely say I am trying to manipulate windows so I can turn the MS A/C into a local A/C stripped of its personalised attributes.

The customer has formerly signed a data loss agreement anyway so I can restore the machine to factory default but of course doing things that way takes longer and time is a big issue for me.

I can see this isn't something thats going to be easy if at all possible from the replies but thanks to everyone for taking the time

[Detection]

Tell them to press the 'Refresh my PC' button

Job done