Windows 10: stuck in safe mode in Windows 10--PINs are not allowed, and my password is a PIN

My computer has been unusable since choosing Safe Mode today (Windows 10 Home, 64 bit). To sign in, only passWORDs are allowed, not PINs, and I have only used a PIN previously. Is there a solution? This software defect has been reported by others, but no solution has been posted that I've seen.


Windows 10 was upgraded from Windows 7. I have recovery discs for Windows 7, but that doesn't offer an acceptable solution. And no, I unfortunately don't have a password recovery device or CD.

:)

 

stuck in safe mode in Windows 10--PINs are not allowed, and my password is a PIN

CORRECTION: I'm locked out of Safe Mode or any other Mode, not "stuck in." Sorry for the inaccuracy.

 

stuck in safe mode in Windows 10--PINs are not allowed, and my password is a PIN

My computer has been unusable since choosing Safe Mode today (Windows 10 Home, 64 bit). To sign in, only passWORDs are allowed, not PINs, and I have only used a PIN previously. Is there a solution? This software defect has been reported by others, but no
solution has been posted that I've seen.

Windows 10 was upgraded from Windows 7. I have recovery discs for Windows 7, but that doesn't offer an acceptable solution. And no, I unfortunately don't have a password recovery device or CD.

 

stuck in safe mode in Windows 10--PINs are not allowed, and my password is a PIN

Hi Greg,

I've looked at my three pages of passwords (nothing for Windows) for inspiration, tried several and their variations, but no luck. I sure don't remember ever specifying a password. The computer would start without entering anything. I upgraded to Windows
10 during the free period, and still entered nothing, Windows 10 loaded just fine by itself. Approx. a year ago I was somehow manipulated during a Windows update(?) into creating a User Account, and I was given the choice of creating a password or a PIN. A
PIN it was, and now a second account with email address appeared in the lower left of the sign in screen.

Two days ago I selected Safe Mode boot in msconfig, restarted, and have been stuck at the sign in screen ever since. I never made it to Safe Mode or any other mode. So I misspoke in my first post.

After this catastrophe, I changed the c: drive to a clone made two months ago with DriveClone 11 Workstation. It didn't boot. It's made perfect working clones in the past, backing up my and my wife's computers. But not this time.

I'll try your suggestions, and thank you again for that. But I'm getting ever closer to throwing in the towel.

Do you suppose it's at all possible that Microsoft would take my PIN and issue me a temporary password? I still have my computer purchase receipt, am at the same address where HP shipped it, etc?