Windows 10: Forgotten password, locked out of computer

I recently made a dumb move by attempting to change my picture password without giving any regard to the fact I don't remember what my local text-based password was. It wasn't until I deleted my picture password when realized what I had done and ended up ultimately locking myself out of my computer. I am not a clever man. :/
I would like to know if there is a way of resetting my password safely outside of a user accounts, or even if there is a way to reset my OS without it affecting my data. Unfortunately my college materials are in that computer. Now I am paying for the consequences of my actions.

Any useful input would be appreciated. I will try to provide additional information if possible upon request. Thanks.

:)

 

Locked out because of forgotten password

Hi Steven,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. Its is really frustrating when things do not work the way as it should.

I can help you with it.

I would suggest you to refer to the help article and follow through to reset your password.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reset-windows-password#1TC=windows-10

Hope this helps. Get back to us for further queries. We are happy to help!

 

Locked out because of forgotten password

Original title: Locked out

I have memory problems.. I have forgotten my password and don't have the phone number that's connected to my account.. I spoke to Microsoft yesterday in America and was told I might as well just dump my laptop.. The thing is I still have the account on my
tablet.. I found all the information required for the security questions on said tablet but have received an email saying that the information isn't good enough.. How do I recover this account as I need to get into it to be able to use my laptop and the expensive
fone number for Microsoft in england is useless. I need my laptopll

 

Helping users to reset / crack Windows sign-in credentials is a difficult and controversial topic. We wouldn't want to, and it wouldn't be right to assist people to get into other users accounts.

In your case the first thing I noticed when reading your post was the highlighted part in above quote. It simply can't be true that you set up a picture password without knowing your password; to set up a picture password you must first verify you are the account owner by entering your password:





My suggestion is that to sign in to Windows you use the same password you had to know and use when you created the picture password.