Password problem

[Donald Cooper]

I have two Win 10 computers, set so no password is required to enter Windows. Suddenly my primary computer demanded a starting PW, which I do not remember. I reset my MS PW online and it is accepted on my secondary computer but not the primary, which continues to reject all PW entries and shows a PW hint that has no relation to the new PW. Furthermore, I have been unable to construct a PW from the hint that is accepted.

I created an USB password reset "disk" but its use only results in an error at the end, unexplained.

I believe I have only one Win account and thus do not understand why the primary computer is unresponsive to the new PW. Did perhaps the sudden demand for a PW represent the failure of some internal system function, and my computer now requires a Win 10 reinstall or internal repair?

I,d be quite grateful for assistance.

--befudled oldster

 

[Trouble]

my primary computer demanded a starting PW, which I do not remember

That is going to be a problem and one that may not be easily overcome.

I reset my MS PW online and it is accepted on my secondary computer but not the primary, which continues to reject all PW entries and shows a PW hint that has no relation to the new PW

Do you use the same account on both computers?
IF so then my recommendation would be to activate the normally hidden (in-active) administrators account and see if you can use that login to resolve the issues with the other account.

You'll need to boot from the installation media. If you do not have the installation media on hand you can download the ISO from here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Once you have the ISO, you can use ImgBurn to burn it to a DVD, http://imgburn.com/
or Rufus to burn it to a USB ThumbDrive, http://rufus.akeo.ie/
either of which you can use to boot your computer.
THEN...
Follow the steps outlined here
http://pureinfotech.com/2015/11/20/how-reset-windows-10-forgotten-password-regain-access-computer/

It's a bit of a pain but I can confirm that it works and have used it personally a few times on different machines.

Alternatively, it might be possible to use the installation media to boot the system and then use the "Repair your computer" link on the second page of the installation process, following the keyboard and language page to employ the Advanced troubleshooting tools to perform a System Restore.
It's possible that, that might set the system back to its' former state and allow you to access the computer as you had before the issue, although if you have changed the password online then it might not help.

 

[Bruce Banks]

I guess I'm just lazy!
I use Ophcrack to recover and or reset password. I also use a utility called Recover Keys lo list all keys to software ion the PC.
Seems I have a knack for breaking things so this lets me keep a record of what software is on what PC

Also,a number of years ago I got "hacked" by letting bogus Microsoft Support site tell me to turn on ipV6 which my provider does not use - pretty sure that problem has been fixed by now but I got all new modem anyway
Oh, and I am more careful with emails i reply to