[krakadoros]

Before a couple of years i had created an xlsm file, very complicated, using functions and algorithms (i am good in create excel algorithms), executing by buttons, that is almost impossible to recreate now, because i am not a professional. I just learn exactly what i want to do and keep moving to the next step. I have completely forgot the techniques that i have used to make this file (short of program), and it is very painful to me, now to search and learn again all the details required, to rebuilt it. I even do not remember how it exactly works. I had written inside the file, some instructions (as notes in the sheets) how to operate it and what each button doing.
I though it was an important one and i had encrypted with a password, to open it.
Because of the COVID period, i did not use it for a long time, so i forgot the pswrd.
I can only remember that might be from 10 to 16 characters, with a repeated word (4-6 letters) in the middle and 2-4 characters (numbers and special characters) in the begin and maybe in the end or in the middle.
Until now i have used a cracking excel files password program, and test millions of passwords, with brute force with mask. No luck.
I also have extracted the hash. It is an "office2010" type.
Any body can help, or give me an idea how to recreate the passwrd, point me out a way to keep trying ?
Thanks.

[AbakBarama]

Office 2007 and newer use strong encryption. Files can't be decrypted and then opened without correct password. Finding password is only way to access file content.

There are some tools for restoring passwords. Hashcat is the fastest and the most popular, it works with hashes (not with protected files) and allows to use different types of attack. You should remember as much info about your password as possible, select appropriate attack type, and then wait and hope...

[krakadoros]

AbakBarama thanks a lot for your advice.
I am trying hashcat in 2 systems.
a) in a windows10, in a machine with onboard graphic card.
b) in the same machine, but boot in kalLinux.
In both, i'm receiving the message :
Watchdog: Hardware monitoring interface not found on your system.
Watchdog: Temperature abort trigger disabled.
clCreateContex(): CL_DEVICE_NOT_AVAILABLE

I guess, that means that during the "search" procedure, the temperature of the CPU will be increased, and my machine cannot stop it automatically, so hashcat do not allow this procedure to start.
I have other 2 machines were i can try the hashcat attack.
A laptop with winXp (onboard graphic card) and a desktop with a separate Nvidia graphic card, i think Nvidia5200Fx (i am not right now, in front of it).

I will try, there.
My questions are :
1)If i will, again, receive the same warning messages, how to bypass them ?
2)Because the Nvidia5200 is an old card, i am thinking to, just, rent one for a few days. Which type or brand, is the best for doing the hashcat attack ?

[AbakBarama]

My questions are :
1)If i will, again, receive the same warning messages, how to bypass them ?
2)Because the Nvidia5200 is an old card, i am thinking to, just, rent one for a few days. Which type or brand, is the best for doing the hashcat attack ?

1. These are warning messages, just don't pay attention.
2. There are a lot of models from NVidia and from AMD. General rule: higher price gives better speed. If you'll choose between 2-3 models you can ask on hashcat forum. But choosing between hundreds of models is too difficult task.