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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Gillg on Thursday 14 May 20 17:17 BST (UK)
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I should start this by saying that I am an absolute novice with computers. ::)
A little while ago my husband (with my permission) wanted to log onto my Microsoft account on the laptop which we both use, but he must have made an error with the opening password, not once, but several times. He then used the PIN as an alternative login, which worked fine, but since then I have never been offered the option of logging in with my password and have always been asked for the PIN. I use Windows 10, by the way, and although he is the administrator, I'm the one who uses the laptop most, because he has another large computer..
This may or may not be connected, but sometime later I received two messages on my mobile from Microsoft, the first one giving me a 7 figure number for an account password reset code, the second giving me a 4 figure number for account security. I have no idea how or where to use these numbers, but I would really like to either return to my original password login or create a new one and would welcome advice, expressed in the simplest of terms, of how to do so.
Many thanks.
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I think it's Settings -> accounts -> sign in options
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I think this might help. https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4026971/microsoft-account-how-to-reset-your-password
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Thanks Gadget and Crumblie
I'll give it a go. Just was confused by the two mobile messages from Microsoft received earlier. It looks as though I will be sent something similar if I follow the instructions. Will report back in case anyone else has this problem.
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From what I can remember Microsoft set up a dual authentification process for password reset some time ago. I think I am right in saying that the codes they send are also time limited.
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Are we referring to the Microsoft password or the lockscreen password? If it's the former, my advice won't work! I misread.
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The Microsoft password I think. I don't really know what is meant by the lockscreen password, sorry. Will try anyway tomorrow when my brain is working better (I hope). Anyway it's the first password request when you open up the computer.
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Anyway it's the first password request when you open up the computer.
That's the lockscreen password.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reset-password-lock-screen-windows-10-fall-creators-update
a bit more
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-customize-lock-screen-windows-10
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Thank you, Gadget. I'll be trying nervously shortly.
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You have to sign in with the one your husband entered first, mind :)
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Do you mean the one I chose when the account was set up years ago, which I've changed several times since, or his original administrator's one, or the one which the computer told him was incorrect (not that he would know now !). You can see what a novice I am. ::)
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Use whatever method your husband used to sign in whether that's by password or pin - the trick is to get in with administrator privilege which allows you to set or reset the passwords.
PS on the screen to enter the pin there should also be another line under the box which says "sign in Options" clicking on this also allows you to switch from Pin to Password and vice versa