Windows 10: A grey box appears then disappears when signing into microsoft account

Hi, when I try to sign in to my microsoft account via the store, cortana or settings, a grey box appears then after a couple of seconds will disappear. This means I cannot sign into my account at all! Any help much appreciated, I am running windows 10, on a HP laptop that used to run windows 7, also it is a 64 Bit. If you need any other information, please ask *Smile

:)

 

A grey box appears then disappears when signing into microsoft account

Guys I fought with this same issue there is an easy fix. open news, store or any other windows app. choose login from there, if it already lists the Microsoft account you want don't click on it. instead click new account. log in from there and follow through.
now you are logged in on the windows account

 

A grey box appears then disappears when signing into microsoft account

You may want to first separately create a new Microsoft account
at this address. Remember that setting a new Microsoft account is overly complicated, they will probably ask you an already existing email address, send you a code number to that address to validate your new Microsoft account, and so on.

I have to confess, Microsoft has a complex thinking, too much for the average person - most of the population - who is not skilled in computers. Something in this company has a way too complex and complicated thinking. Hopefully one day things will turn
much, much simple.

With a new account, go to the task bar of your desktop (left lower corner) type msconfig in the box where is written 'search windows', the System configuration window will pop up, select 'services' tab, then at bottom right click 'enable all', then click
ok, and choose to restart the computer. Once restarted, click the small windows icon at the left bottom corner on the task bar (deactivate the tablet mode if is set on), click the third lower link 'settings', click 'accounts', click 'sign in with Microsoft
account' and use the account you just created. Even if this works, you are not out of trouble, Microsoft may ask again to verify the signing in with a code number... and other complex steps... keep it simple, read completely all the text in each window
before clicking a button, choose the simplest options and discard all 'extra' options at all moment.

 

Hi,

can you make a screen dump of what is happening?
Were you using a local account or a Microsoft account before the upgrade?
Are you sure that Microsoft Store is working at all?
Did you try switching off Windows Update via the Services.msc? this will also cause the Store not to function anymore

can you login locally (not with a Microsoft account?)

 

It is not letting me paste the screen shot in, but I was using a local account I believe, the store works up until the point where you sign in to install apps and thats when the grey box appears and won't let me log in. No, I have not tried switching off windows update and I can log in locally. Thanks for replying

 

I had the grey login box but after a few tries it lets me login to my MS account. This is in the store or settings it used to happen.

I still have a problem where my windows lock screen/login screen has just the time etc on a grey background; no pictures etc.

 

Same problem. Please point me to a simple solution cuz I am a simple person, not a Microsoft programmer.

QUOTE=marylou;346676]Hi, when I try to sign in to my microsoft account via the store, cortana or settings, a grey box appears then after a couple of seconds will disappear. This means I cannot sign into my account at all! Any help much appreciated, I am running windows 10, on a HP laptop that used to run windows 7, also it is a 64 Bit. If you need any other information, please ask *Smile[/QUOTE]

 

I succeeded in taking a screenshot of my problem logging in under Cortana. It is attached. Please help!

 

I have the same problem and same grey box. After upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7, it seems Windows just automatically took the local logon from Win7 during the install. Never asked me for my Microsoft account. So I find out with the local account there is a lot I can not do. I cannot "Sign in with Microsoft account instead" - get big grey box, that disappears. I cannot add another new user account - same grey box. Cannot use the Store. Cannot sync. Cannot use Cortana, etc.

I've searched the Internet for hours, and find that so many people are having this same problem. This is definitely a Microsoft issue. A very few have solved the problem but those steps don't work for my computer. One person's fix was getting the latest update. That didn't work for me either. Someone must have a fix. Maybe an adjustment in the Registry. I'm getting very frustrated.

Laurie

 

disconnect from internet
can you go to settings then accounts
then from the left choose add family member
then choose add other account
this will add a local user
then click the name of the local user just created and change its privledges from standard to administrator
then right click start button chose logout
then choose the local user just added
it will go thru a process similar to out of box experience
then open settings then accounts switch to Microsoft account
if it works good if not then its a deeper issue

 

Nope. That doesn't work - disconnect from internet. Can not add a user or delete at user. When Add a Family Member is selected, GRAY BOX appears than goes away. Windows did an update yesterday, and now my start menu won't open, most of my programs, I cannot open because a box pops up and says it "locked". This includes my Photoshop, Lightroom, even iTunes. I did a restore from two nights ago, but that didn't fix the problem. The only way I can get to the Control Panel is to go into the File Manager, Windows folder, System 32 and find control.exe.

I'm screwed. This Windows 10 update has basically left my computer unusable except the the internet. What a disaster.

I've been scouring the internet for days on this and no one seems to have a fix for this. I have decided that there is nothing left to do but a clean install. My only problem is that I don't have all the software discs with me, they are in storage and I cannot get them. I'm getting a larger hard drive tomorrow, and I hope Win10 will active on the new drive okay.

 

If you havent done so go to windows.com and download the Microsoft media creator and either put in on a usb flash drive or burn the ISO to a DVD. Keep in mind to download the version from that site that corresponds to the version already installed. Then do an I place upgrade. Not a reset or restore

 

Thanks. I already downloaded the file yesterday. From what I understand, I should take the extra step and clone my old hard drive to the new one (I just got the cable for that), as a precaution, so Win10 will be activated on the new one. Then use the media creator the to a clean install. Hopefully all goes well.

 

As long as windows is already activated from the upgrade process and as long as you downloaded the same version as what's activated you can clean install to any hard drive. Just when it asks for a product key select skip

 

I have experienced the same gray box after upgrading from Window 7. I did not login with a Microsoft account and blame that on the failure to have Cortana work as well as signing into the store