Windows Startup password

[GoFigureItOut]

Is it possible to remove a startup password without being able to log into the system? A friend's laptop just prompt her today for a password that she never enabled. Now, she does have a standard user account password, but that doesn't work for the startup password. She had the computer for about a year now and it has never asked for a startup password until today.

I tried to use Hiren Boot CD to run a diagnostic on the laptop, but it has a bsod. Windows 10 normal boot crashes as well

 

[jboydgolfer]

It's most likely her Microsoft.com or live.com password it's linked to windows 10. I would recommend once you get in to either enable a pin or enable auto login


Her account must of got signed out somehow which is why it's asking for the Microsoft password either by major system update or buy a user switch or buy some setting the requires a log out

Just have her type in Microsoft.com into Google,and have her log into that site. Or it's also called live.com if she can't remember it it's likely saved in her passwords in the browser settings

If none of that works try tapping F8 immediately from start up see if booting into safe mode or something else works

 

[Solaris17]

pro tip as @jboydgolfer said its probably a MS account. Also too add too it a PIN wont save you. when a repair or reset is needed such as booting the system into recovery mode or attempting a system restore it will only take the pass the pin isnt an option for advanced repair scenarios.

 

[GoFigureItOut]

It only has a local account because she didn't feel like setting up an additional account with another password to remember

 

[Solaris17]

It only has a local account because she didn't feel like setting up an additional account with another password to remember

Hm this happened to a tech at another shop 3 or 4 days ago. You have tried properly restarting the PC right? This happened to an auto login account and a reboot fixed it.

 

[jaggerwild]

Wouldn't this happen is the battery was dead, etc? Couldn't he enter the bios then adjust the settings(not entering a password)then F10 save exit assuming the settings are correct boot?

 

[cdawall]

If it's just a local account password there is a guide you can Google using the Windows install media to blank the password.

 

[RejZoR]

There are ransomwares (not really coz they don't demand anything, they lock system for the lolz) floating around that lock Windows using that very function.

 

[Ferrum Master]

I saw this after using windows shutup. Hate that stupid thing.

It created half registry items thus windows login dll sees now a ghost account.

 

[OneMoar]

H4L: http://www.rootsh3ll.com/2016/01/how-to-get-admin-access-on-windows-10-sticky-keys-method/

 

[jboydgolfer]

It only has a local account because she didn't feel like setting up an additional account with another password to remember

Just to be 100% certain, you are positive beyond any reasonable doubt that there is no Microsoft account? I'm only asking because that's number one the easiest resolution to this problem and number two it's often the most likely cause of this issue.(its an easy enough step where unless i was 1000% certain id still try ift for shits, just to pass that possibility out of mind)

However if you're certain it's going to take a little more work. Possibly even reinstallation or contacting Microsoft help from another PC or device.

if you get to the point where reinstall is the only option left, i have posted the iso DL links for win10 here on TPU, at the following link.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/windows-10-iso-multiple-version-link-x86-x64.230014/

there are others too.
best of luck

 

[GeoDragon]

I had this issue with a friend's parents computer. I used Kon-Boot on USB with no issues. Works great for local accounts, will login into online accounts but you can't change the password. Good if you want to create an admin account though

 

[OneMoar]

check the link I posted folks once you are in you can reset the local password with net user username newpassword

 

[GoFigureItOut]

Just to be 100% certain, you are positive beyond any reasonable doubt that there is no Microsoft account? I'm only asking because that's number one the easiest resolution to this problem and number two it's often the most likely cause of this issue.(its an easy enough step where unless i was 1000% certain id still try ift for shits, just to pass that possibility out of mind)

However if you're certain it's going to take a little more work. Possibly even reinstallation or contacting Microsoft help from another PC or device.

if you get to the point where reinstall is the only option left, i have posted the iso DL links for win10 here on TPU, at the following link.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/windows-10-iso-multiple-version-link-x86-x64.230014/

there are others too.
best of luck

Yes, I'm sure there wasn't a Microsoft account on the laptop. When I set it up, she didn't want one

So I had to do a factory restore on the laptop. All boot methods would crash. I found out the owner was duped into giving a scammer access to her computer. That's how the startup password got set.

See its not the same as the account login password prompt

check the link I posted folks once you are in you can reset the local password with net user username newpassword

Thanks for the link! I will most definitely save it and use it when needed

 

[minnoro]

Guys, I had the same trouble, but solved it

 

[GoFigureItOut]

Guys, I had the same trouble, but solved it

How did you solve it? I had to reinstall the OS again

 

[jboydgolfer]

How did you solve it? I had to reinstall the OS again

if he had an answer, he would've posted it. IMO

 

[GoFigureItOut]

May be he forgot. I mean he said "solved it", so I'm assuming he didn't reinstall.