Accessing Files on HDD Removed from old computer?

[MikeyTaylorGaming]

Hey all,

I just got round to removing a 2TB HDD with all sorts on it from my 10+ year old computer!

I'm trying to access the files in My Documents, Pictures, Videos, everything really as that's where a lot of memories will be stored, however, when I try to click on :C//Users/MyUserName, it says I need administrator permission.

I can click continue but it just hangs and won't let me in. I think I still remember the password to login to the computer but don't think the PC works anymore!

I'm trying to read it all through a USB HDD reader by the way, and it reads absolutely everything else fine. Program files and any other data, just not my account folders

Any help getting into my files would be a godsend, many thanks

 

[SylverReZ]

It would be simpler to boot from a USB written with Hirens Boot CD or MediCat, which has tools for removing Windows passwords. Alternatively, you can use Windows Login Unlocker WinPE if you only want to remove the password without the full suite (you must have the drive attached to do this, but I'm sure you know that).

 

[MikeyTaylorGaming]

It would be simpler to boot from a USB written with Hirens Boot CD or MediCat, which has tools for removing Windows passwords. Alternatively, you can use Windows Login Unlocker WinPE if you only want to remove the password without the full suite (you must have the drive attached to do this, but I'm sure you know that).

This is actually my first time attempting to remove data from a HDD in this manner. I did try googling for information but all of it is related to bitlocker and other encryption methods. Do you think you could link me to a tutorial/ walk me through if you have time?

I tried the PC it came in, but the power supply seems to be why it's broken. It lights up on the back, but then as soon as I turn it on the fans spin for a fraction of a second before it cuts out and the light on the back goes off again.

EDIT: Trying to install Medicat, I'm not tech illiterate but what a pain ahahah

Many thanks

 

[Magsor]

https://www.howtogeek.com/301768/how-to-take-ownership-of-files-and-folders-in-windows/

 

[MikeyTaylorGaming]

https://www.howtogeek.com/301768/how-to-take-ownership-of-files-and-folders-in-windows/

The PC is now going through the "Changing ownership of:" list, and looks like it's going through everything.

Will update if I get access! Thanks so much for that link. Hopefully it's this simple and doesn't need any other crap!

 

[Latiodile]

you also can probably boot into a linux live CD of some sort, linux seems to ignore windows permissions and just accesses windows files as-is, unless it's windows 8 and has fast boot enabled, or has bitlocker

 

[The Real Jdbye]

The PC is now going through the "Changing ownership of:" list, and looks like it's going through everything.

Will update if I get access! Thanks so much for that link. Hopefully it's this simple and doesn't need any other crap!

Data recovery software might also work, since unlike Windows it doesn't care about permissions.

Post automatically merged: Dec 6, 2025

It would be simpler to boot from a USB written with Hirens Boot CD or MediCat, which has tools for removing Windows passwords. Alternatively, you can use Windows Login Unlocker WinPE if you only want to remove the password without the full suite (you must have the drive attached to do this, but I'm sure you know that).

He would probably have to boot from it, it's a permissions issue not a password issue. When you try accessing files owned by a user on a different PC it just won't let you access them sometimes. In other cases it lets you right in. Not sure what the differentiation is.

For the record I use the same username and password on all my PCs and I have also experienced this, I think I ended up having to take ownership as it wouldn't accept my password.

 

[Evilengine]

I did this before and it was very simply. If you did not encrypt the HDD, normally you can even get access from a Windows PC, even if you had a password. If that won't work for some reason, Just create a Linux live boot medium, like a USB stick, for example Cachyos or LinuxMint, Ubuntu or any other and normally it will just give you complete access to all files without any further steps.

 

[MikeyTaylorGaming]

https://www.howtogeek.com/301768/how-to-take-ownership-of-files-and-folders-in-windows/

This method actually worked. I had to go back into properties, security and change it to full access again after completing those steps.

I cannot believe that worked so easily.

Data recovery software might also work, since unlike Windows it doesn't care about permissions.

Post automatically merged: Dec 6, 2025

He would probably have to boot from it, it's a permissions issue not a password issue. When you try accessing files owned by a user on a different PC it just won't let you access them sometimes. In other cases it lets you right in. Not sure what the differentiation is.

For the record I use the same username and password on all my PCs and I have also experienced this, I think I ended up having to take ownership as it wouldn't accept my password.

Perhaps that's the method for you too!

 

[janobi]

You can use data recovery software, but you normally need twice the size of what you're trying to recover. I personally use getdataback. I have it stored on mega.nz if you want a copy of it.

The biggest problem is that it literally pulls everything off the HDD and then you have to search through the file system for what you want, as it'll recover all files. Depending on computing power, and HDD size, times will vary.

 

[VinsCool]

you also can probably boot into a linux live CD of some sort, linux seems to ignore windows permissions and just accesses windows files as-is, unless it's windows 8 and has fast boot enabled, or has bitlocker

Tried and tested method, I've used it countless times to recover data from old dead computers.
Access permissions were always ignored and nothing was lost except from a handful of files damaged due to data corruption.