Windows 10: Deceased Family Member Account access

My dad passed away two years ago and my mom has been using his laptop, for two years without issue. Last week it started prompting her to enter a hello pin, which to our knowledge we don't have.


The microsoft account is linked to my dad's email, which is no longer active. So we can't change the password or recover it since we don't have enough information about that account. Tried both. So she's locked out of her computer. Tried Microsoft support but they just direct us to the forgotten or recovery process. Looking around it sounds like we might be out of luck - is that right? That seems odd since my mom is able to access anything else of his with proper documentation. I'm concerned that we would lose information on the computer if we're forced to wipe it and start from scratch.


Any info or suggestions are appreciated.

:)

 

Deceased family member PC

Sorry about your loss.

But we do not work for Microsoft.

This is the Microsoft information, but their email address does not work.

Microsoft does have a process in place for when these sad circumstances happen:

You can learn more about Microsoft's Next of Kin process here.

Occasionally, family members or third parties may need to request email account data in the event of a customer’s death or medical incapacitation. We realize that these may be difficult times for those seeking access to their loved one’s information.
However, the right to privacy and the security of our customers’ data is a fundamental concern to Microsoft. Our users expect Microsoft to keep their information private and secure even in the event of death or incapacitation. Our primary responsibility
is to honor this expectation.

If a third party has a compelling need to access a user’s account and he or she has appropriate legal permission for this access, or have additional questions about access to a deceased or incapacitated user’s account, please send inquiries to
L: msrecord@microsoft.com.

"Microsoft office locations around the world"

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worldwide.aspx

Regards.

 

Need to access a deceased family member's computer

Hi Rogue1618

I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

If you know that family member's Email Address and they log into that laptop with a Microsoft Account, try resetting their password using these steps:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17875/...

If they logged into Windows 10 with a Local Account, try these steps:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402845...

If neither of the above works for you, here is the Microsoft 'Next of Kin' page, that explains what they are allowed to do in this situation

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/acce...

 

broken "family member needs to sign in"

Parental controls stopped working. Family.Microsoft.com has alert: "Your family member needs to sign in to their Windows 10 device AngLaptop2014 for family features to work.

But the "how to fix this" says

• Select Accounts > Family & other people
• Under Your family, select your family member, then select Allow
• Have your family member sign in with their Microsoft account if asked to

And the steps don't apply. The account is already allowed, and there is no option to change that.

Now what???