What password does Microsoft want?

Topic

New Reply

Hello!.

I recently purchased a new(er) laptop because the case on my old laptop was cracking.  I never had to enter a password on my old laptop when I signed in. When I setup my new laptop the system required me to set a PIN which I did.  I then noticed that my old laptop required a password which I believe was my Accouhe nt password.  I am not sure because it was several weeks ago.  I got in fine and copied my files and was done.

Today I tried logging into my old laptop only to find that it does not recognize MS password.  Because I never setup a reset password USB drive, I could not use that option so I reset my MS Account password and tried using that.  The system seems to like that one because it starts loading (Welcome…) but then after a 20+seconds it says: “The password is incorrect.  Try again.”  It seems like the system is going to some repository to get confirmation that the password is correct but the repository does not match what I am entering?

I am totally confused and stumped as to what to do next.  Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Tom

 

Reply | Quote

Replies

It probably wants the PIN rather than the password.  On the log in screen there usually is a ‘flip’ bar in the middle that you can click to flip it from traditional password to PIN.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

Reply | Quote

Not on my entry screen.  There is no other choice than password.  Here is a snapshot of what I am seeing. If you look closely in the edit box, it says password.

Thanks for the quick response, though…:-)

Tom

 

 

Reply | Quote

Is there any change when you click the arrow?

PS – When you want an image to be displayed for those who are not logged in here, click on the line ‘Insert into content’, at the right of Select File.

Reply | Quote

No.  The arrow is the submit button.  I thought about that and tried clicking the arrow without entering anything in the edit box and the same thing happened, it started the “Welcome…” timer and then said password is incorrect.  As far as I can tell, there is no “flip” button to switch to a PIN…:-(

 

Reply | Quote

Do you have a live.com email account? Perhaps the password for that…?

Reply | Quote

I do have a Outlook.com (Live.com) account which I never use.  I went into that and reset my password to match my MS Account password.  It did not fix the problem.

According to the MS Account support page, if you don’t see any options to use a PIN or Microsoft account password, then you are signed in on a local account and MS does not have any fixes for that.  They say I need to reset my PC…:-(

Not sure I want to do that yet.  I am going to sleep on the problem and decide tomorrow.

At least I learned something new today.

Thanks for all your suggestions.  I will let you know what happens next.

Tom

1 user thanked author for this post.

Fred

Reply | Quote

You can always enable the built in administrator account or reset the password.

4 Ways to Enable Built-in Administrator Account on Windows 10 / 8 | Password Recovery (top-password.com)

Method 4 at the bottom.  If that’s a bit extreme for you, holler and I can link to the Windows password reset tool that I use when I can’t get into a computer.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

2 users thanked author for this post.

windbg, Fred

Reply | Quote

Computing and pc’s are making life easier, right?

🌷

* _ ... _ *

Reply | Quote

At least it’s a local account.  If it’s a surface/tied to a Microsoft account that sucker is bitlockered.  If you crack the password you can’t get into the data.

 

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

Reply | Quote

Hello Susan!

The Admin Password continues to stump me (its not blank).  You had mentioned you had a utility to get me in.  Could you share the link?

Thanks!

 

Reply | Quote

This tool isn’t free but it works like a champ – Windows Password Key: The Wolrd’s First Windows Password Recovery Software (4winkey.com)

Offline Windows Password & Registry Editor (pogostick.net) That one is free but sometimes is a bit worky.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

1 user thanked author for this post.

windbg

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the article, Susan.  I used method 4 and now I can access the Administrator account.  What is the password for the Administrator?

Tom Nesler

Reply | Quote

It’s blank.  Just hit the enter key and it should go in.  Then you can reset the OTHER user account password.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

Reply | Quote

When I hit Enter for the password on the Administrator, it says “Password is incorrect.”…:-(

 

Reply | Quote

Hello again!

Sorry for the long interval between posts.  I want to update you on my problem.  Thank you Susan for the links.  I chose to use Windows password keeper. (I wanted the best.)  I downloaded the standard version and made a CD.  When I tried to use it, the boot manager program would not start the CD drive even though I tried using the internal CD player and two USB players.  I know the CD is Ok because I tried it out on another PC.

So I purchased the Pro version so I could make a USB bootable drive.  Guess what?  Same problem…:-(  The Boot manager recognizes the USB drive and I select it and it seems to try to run the program, but after 20 seconds it gives up and boots from the hard drive.

I am going to contact the manufacturer of Password Keeper to see what they suggest but I am pretty much resigned to reset my Windows account unless you have any other suggestions.

 

 

Reply | Quote