Windows 8
Create a Windows 8 Recovery USB Drive
How to Reset or Refresh Windows 8.1from within Windows
If you can’t boot the PC, boot from a USB Recovery Drive to Reset or Refresh
Get installation media for Windows 8.1
Create a backup image using Windows 8.1
How to upgrade to Windows 8.1 from 8.0
Note: You can also create a backup image using Acronis True Image or Paragon Free
How to bypass the Windows 8 password screen
How to Boot directly to the Desktop without 3rd party software
Pin almost anything to the Taskbar
Set Default Programs and File Associations
Accessing the Windows 8 Search Indexing options
Which version of Windows 8 do you have?
Do you have a Local or Microsoft account?
How to automatically repair Windows 8
How to avoid a Microsoft account and use a Local accont
Microsoft versus Local account
Get your Start Menu back with this free program here
Here’s a free program to get your Start Menu back
Another Start menu program for free
Add Startup folder to Start Menu
Copy Windows 7 Games to Windows 8
Windows 8 System Restore Guide
How to start Windows 8 in the Safe mode from within Windws 8
How to enable the F8 key to start in the Safe Mode (for advanced users)
How to force Windows to restart in Safe Mode (for advanced users)
Using OnDrive with a Local account
Note: You will need a Windows 8 Disc or Windows 8 Recovery USB drive to do this. You may see something like “UEFI: Sandisk Ultra” on the boot menu – choose this when trying the above tip if booting from a USB drice.
How to access the Advanced Startup Options
Windows 8.1 tips and more here and here
OnDrive (SkyDrive) On-line access versus Off-line access
Enable or Disable hidden Administrator Account Also see the article here.
You can also use the Program titled Password Reset available here to perform this. Read more about accounts here prior to performing this.
All about passwords and Accounts
See the list of Password Reset programs here.
See a summary of Windows accounts here.
Most of the programs on the list will create a bootable USB drive for you. Please review this page carefully before attempting to reset or clear your password. You should start out by knowing the type of account that you have. See a link abbove regarding Local versus Microsoft accounts.
Creating Microsoft and Local accounts
How to reset a Windows 8 password for a Local account (without 3rd party software)
How to reset a Windows 8 password for a Microsoft accoun for free (See link below)
Microsoft Reset Passwword site
The Windows Built-in but hidden Administrator account
Switch from a Local Account to a Microsoft account
Switch from a Microsoft Account to a Local account
Create a password reset disk on a USB drive (for Local accounts only)
How to change your Microsoft account password (not a normal thing to do)
Password Recovery summary
- If you’re ever locked out of a PC, use the program called Password Reset to enable the Administrator account. You can now log in and access all of the data.
- There’s a link above with instructions for reseting a Microsoft Account for free. PCWin will do it very easily but costs $24.99. All of the programs will reset a Local or Adminitrative account.
- Remember – these programs do not recover your password but make the password blank so you can log in. Be sure to create a new password if you like to use one, but be sure to remember it.
- If you have any encrypted data, resetting or clearing a password may make the encrypted data irretrievable.
- The safest account from which to recover your password is a Microsoft account using an email address for which you know the password. If you use a valid email address you can always reset your Microsoft account password.
- Be careful not to enable the built-in hidden Administrator account unless you disable it or create a password for it.
Bottom Line
Don’t keep anything on your PC that will compromise you since anyone with a little bit of knowledge can break into most any PC.