How to Unlock a Windows Program Without a Password

In Microsoft Windows, you can protect files and folders using various methods, including robust encryption governed by the Encrypting File System (EFS). Although you undoubtedly respect other users' privacy, just as you expect them to honor your own, there are certain, rare situations where you might need to try to unlock a Windows program without a password. Perhaps your late uncle kept his updated will on his hard drive, or you think your child is involved in a dangerous relationship. Or maybe you just forgot your password. There are certain legitimate techniques you can try that may--or may not--provide access to a locked file. (See References 1)

Instructions

Unlock a File or Folder

1. Step 1

   Try figuring out the password. This is the most direct and lowest-tech way to access a locked file. Use your knowledge about the account holder (or yourself) to make some educated guesses, including nicknames, birthdays, anniversaries, celebrity names, and combinations of initials and dates.

2. Step 2

   View all files and folders, including those marked "hidden." In Windows Explorer, select "Tools," "Folder Options." On the "View" tab, under "Advanced Settings," choose "Show hidden files and folders."

3. Step 3

   Check folder encryption. You could have a locked folder containing unlocked files. In Windows XP and later, "folder encryption" is a misnomer; only files can be encrypted. Folder encryption merely sets an attribute, which can be removed. Right-click on the folder, and click "Properties." On the "General" tab, click "Advanced," and clear the "Encrypt contents to secure data" check box. (See References 2)

4. Step 4

   Perform advanced techniques. You must be logged in with full administrative rights. To create a full administrator account in Windows Vista, open an elevated command prompt window and type "net user administrator /active:yes".

5. Step 5

   Change permissions to "Creator-Owner." This method is for advanced users only; incorrectly adjusting security settings on your "C" drive could make your system unusable. To view permissions and inheritances, in Windows Explorer, right-click the file or folder and select "Properties." On the "Security" tab, click "Advanced." This will open the "Advanced Security Settings" dialog box, where you can edit special permissions.

6. Step 6

   Adjust permissions at the command line. Again, this method carries a risk and is only for advanced users. Open an elevated command window. At the command prompt, type "icacls filename," where "filename" is the name of the document you want to access. The utility will display a list of the file's permission settings and inheritances. The "/grant" switch, with an "f" code, can be used to give a user full control of a file or folder. For instance, "icacls worksheets /grant charles:f" gives Charles full control of the "worksheets" folder. (To create a text file listing all codes and switches for the icacls utility, type "icacls >filename.txt", substituting the correct name for the output file.)

7. Step 7

   Decrypt files. If you have Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium, EFS is not fully supported, and you can use the "cipher" utility to decrypt files. At the command prompt, type "cipher.exe /d".

8. Step 8

   Move the file to a different volume. Encryption depends on the NTFS file system. Most hard drives are formatted with NTFS, but removable media like USB drives can also be formatted with FAT or FAT32. According to Microsoft's "Windows Vista: Inside Out," moving an encrypted file from an NTFS system volume to a FAT or FAT32 volume will remove any encryption. To format your USB drive, use Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc); right-click the volume name in Windows Explorer, and choose "Format"; or, to use the command line, type "format /?" at the command prompt for a list of available switches, then enter the appropriate command. (See References 3)