Are you saying that it's possible to alter a wallet.dat file to remove the private keys and it will still open in Bitcoin Core normally?
The reason I am asking is because I am currently attempting to crack some wallets and as far as I am aware, if I can open the wallet normally in Core, then it must be crack able right? or am I missing something?

The very fact that a wallet.dat might be offered for sale, or, "help me unlock it and I'll pay you BTCBTCBTC" might in itself be a big neon light that the wallet.dat is either fake, or has been forged.

I always myself if I have to write this or not, But all solutions are exhausted, and I hope someone can help.

The first time I heard about bitcoin was in 2010  - ( exact DEC/2009), I thought it was just a token or something ridiculous to give as tips..etc ( tbh Worth nothing, something that could fail and be another fad),
I was managing some websites and playing games, After few months (July 2010)  I decided to create a flash gaming website for Adsense lol all I know that period was google Adsense, My idea was different I wanted to reward players with bitcoins and make money from Ads, I've created multiple addresses and made few transactions and bought more coins ... I found a freelancer for this task and paid him to start the job, and agreed that website will be ready by the end of November... things were going as I wanted and I was busy with other stuff.
My life changed that month (NOV), I was doing some work as usual ( routine: checking forums ... new niches..etc) I turned off my computer the screen shows update configuration something like that with an alert "don't turn off your computer", I was working on windows 7 Pro On IBM. Guess what happened after the shit update ?! Windows keeps restarting 4 or 5 times, a blue screen loaded saying that there is a problem with windows and I have to check hardware and some codes.
I've tried to restore the system to a specific date, They mention the update time and if I want to restore the system data and settings before the update, I did what I had to do but nothing is changed, F*CK!
I didn't care about bitcoin the problem was with text files (login and passwords ) and some serious data on C drive.
Luckily I had ubuntu portable on CD. I've copied all necessary files pictures to E drive missed some text files and install windows 7 again and turned off Windows update.
I've abandoned my previous idea and a lot of ideas just because of the shit happened.
Fast forward to 2013, This when I heard about bitcoin again since November 2010, wow with The Bitcoins that I have, my wealth will be around 80K$ I was the happiest man that day ( but just for few minutes) I've checked E drive and didn't find anything that has relation with bitcoin !! shit!) I spent all day searching for bitcoin files and nothing.
After doing some research about bitcoin and where coins are stored I figure out that there is a hidden file in App data, (shit !!)
I attempted to find a solution to restore deleted files I've tested several tools for recovery data, I got the wallet.dat after spending hours of search, you can't imagine my feeling when I saw the file lol...  I moved the file to the bitcoin core folder and run the program... it shows corrupt -salvage failed! (F*****CK).
I  created a copy for wallet.dat and tested all bitcoin core versions especially the old version also the same version used the first time. But the same result all the time. I spent weeks if not months looking for a solution starting from this forum with the same case and Reddit ... I used also the Pywallet script and still no success... I thought the issue from the recovery tool so tested all-new recovery software, there was hope with one program that was able to recover some old pictures, Was able to recover the wallet.dat file too ..and again the same result. "Corrupted shit file".

Maybe someone can help with a good solution, I remember that I created a password for that wallet, please leave me comments with a potential solution, If I was able to move the bitcoins then sure 100 BTC will be given to the first person, leave me good and positive comments and mention also your bitcoin address So I can make a drop with 1BTC for the next 100 comments.
I don't know if I have to laugh or cry while watching bitcoin these days.
I'm Broke, my hopes were all high and euphoric then right after low and dreadful ..there is no specific moral to this story.

For Bitcoin address: ( it makes me sick)
https://www.blockchain.com/btc/address/15Z5YJaaNSxeynvr6uW6jQZLwq3n1Hu6RX

Microsoft ruined my life that day! I don't know if I have to blame them or myself, November still the worst month for me ( I had abdominal surgery last Nov 2020)... anyway it is a promise, keep an eye on it. Backup your files that is all!


Screenshot for the issue : file recovery : https://prnt.sc/1032smd
Picture for HDD ( https://prnt.sc/10fmpij ) and IBM (https://prnt.sc/10fmqbl).