How can I get into my PC without an admin password?

Stephen has been using a standard user account in Windows 8, but he's forgotten the admin password. Now he needs admin access in order to install Windows 10

I have an HP laptop running Microsoft Windows 8. As recommended by many sources, I created separate user accounts for my wife and myself, and I have not needed to log in as admin for a while. Now I have simply forgotten the password. I've tried all of the obvious variations, which followed a pattern I used for my old iMac. I've also tried some processes mentioned online, with no success.

It's easy enough to back up our personal data, so I have considered a factory reset, but I am certain it is going to ask for an admin password. The obvious thing I have not done is pay for some commercial cracking software, but I have no idea which (if any) are reputable and effective. Please suggest a solution, as I would like to upgrade to Windows 10. Stephen

Did you set up the original administrator account using a Microsoft email address as your MSA (Microsoft Account), which is what I strongly recommend? If so, your logon password is the same as your email password, and this is something you might still remember. You might even have written it down somewhere.