Forgot Windows 7 login password and no reset disk available

Have an old HP Windows 7 laptop at home for running some legacy 32-bit apps. I haven't used it in months, and I completely forgot Windows 7 login password coz of last password change. I never made a password reset dis and I really need to get into my computer because there are important photos and documents on it that I don’t want to lose.

I'm a complete beginner with computers, so please explain things very simply.  Is there any free way to reset Windows 7 password without losing my files? Do I need to use a different computer to create a bootable USB stick? If yes, exactly what software should I download and what steps do I follow?