Microsoft Password

[Lazy Sod]

A few days ago, I preparation for changing from Windows 7 to 10, I bought a genuine 10 cd, and got out my old laptop that I haven't used for a year or 2 to give it a try before changing my main desktop, and the laptop wouldn't let me in to 7 without a password.

The thing is that I've never had or wanted to use a password to get into any computer that I've ever had, and that's going back to 1994. Anyway, I did a clean install of 10 on the laptop, installed Classic Shell and got going. At some point it wanted my Microsoft password and all was well.

This afternoon, I turned on the laptop, put the password in and it said it was incorrect. I tried it several times and no joy, so I went into my Microsoft account on the desktop and changed the password. I logged out and logged back in successfully just to check it.

I tried the new password on the laptop and it was not accepted. Turned it off and on again and all I get is the initial page (beach scene) with time and date, but with a networks column down the right hand side. It initially opened with airplane mode on and Wi-Fi off, so turned airplane mode off and WI-FI on.

When I turn press the spacebar to go forwards it just turns airplane mode on and WI-FI off. I haven't been on a commercial flight since 1984, so don't know what airplane mode is. So what can I do to get into the laptop except tear my hair out?

 

[Sorbaer]

Not really sure whats going on here. Windows 10 asks you to set a pin for the account linked, this is not your email password. The pin is used and not your email/password so that you can log in when you aren't connected to the internet. So you shouldnt need internet to log into the computer.

 

[farmerm]

A few days ago, I preparation for changing from Windows 7 to 10, I bought a genuine 10 cd, and got out my old laptop that I haven't used for a year or 2 to give it a try before changing my main desktop, and the laptop wouldn't let me in to 7 without a password.

The thing is that I've never had or wanted to use a password to get into any computer that I've ever had, and that's going back to 1994. Anyway, I did a clean install of 10 on the laptop, installed Classic Shell and got going. At some point it wanted my Microsoft password and all was well.

This afternoon, I turned on the laptop, put the password in and it said it was incorrect. I tried it several times and no joy, so I went into my Microsoft account on the desktop and changed the password. I logged out and logged back in successfully just to check it.

I tried the new password on the laptop and it was not accepted. Turned it off and on again and all I get is the initial page (beach scene) with time and date, but with a networks column down the right hand side. It initially opened with airplane mode on and Wi-Fi off, so turned airplane mode off and WI-FI on.

When I turn press the spacebar to go forwards it just turns airplane mode on and WI-FI off. I haven't been on a commercial flight since 1984, so don't know what airplane mode is. So what can I do to get into the laptop except tear my hair out?

airplane mode means your laptops Wifi and Bluetooth radios are turned off. but beyond that... I cant fathom Microsoft accounts and passwords... You have changed your Microsoft account password but if your laptop hasn't connected to the Microsoft servers how can it know what your new password is... and thus what password does it expect...?

 

[deleted user 837354]

If you have no PIN code or face recognition then the Microsoft account password is the PC password as well.

Microsoft want to tie machines to a Microsoft account. I presume this is the login details it needs to communicate to MS own servers for sending diagnostic info and downloading updates etc.

 

[Lazy Sod]

When I first started the laptop this afternoon I put the pin in, but it was not accepted, so I tried the Microsoft password. What I imagine that I could do now is to do a clean install of Windows 10 and start again.

 

[rollestonpark]

So it's win7 currently?
I have had issues with locked win 7 in the past.
Last time, I booted a cd iso that I downloaded and it reset the admin pass.
Wasn't difficult
Ms is pretty insecure really, enough said there

 

[Sorbaer]

When I first started the laptop this afternoon I put the pin in, but it was not accepted, so I tried the Microsoft password. What I imagine that I could do now is to do a clean install of Windows 10 and start again.

The pin you set on start up is the pin/password you need to get into your account and onto the windows 10 home screen. Im not sure why they decided to call it a 'pin' it just over complicates things. But yes if you don't remember your pin you'll need to follow these steps; https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4026196/windows-10-pin-sign-in-issues
Or a fresh install of win10 will do it.

 

[J B]

What I imagine that I could do now is to do a clean install of Windows 10 and start again.

What I have learned recently is ... when doing a clean install of W10, do not allow it to connect to the internet till W10 is fully installed. That way you won't have to use a MS password or any other passwords for that matter ... unless you really want to.

 

[Lazy Sod]

Thanks @Jb, I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[Lazy Sod]

I've turned on the laptop this morning and it let me in with the microsoft password and functions normally.

I'll leave it for now and see how I get on. Thanks for all your help.

 

[J B]

type netplwiz into the search box and have a play with the settings there - you should be able to get in without a password ... if you want to!