Windows 10: Unrecognised password

My Acer laptop does not recognise the password I have used for the last two years to open the computer. Luckily I had a pin number which was recognised. I would like to have a password too (in case the pin is suddenly not recognised either) but can't find out how to register a new password since Windows says I don't know the old one. Since I am the only one to use the laptop and it is in a secure location, a password is really not necessary and it is very frustrating to be locked out of my own computer.

:)

 

unrecognised password to access computer

Hello Mark, thanks for the speedy answer. I really thought I'd cracked it, followed your steps right down to typing in new password and hint ... then a message came up saying "an error occurred while wizard was attempting to ... etc" - so disappointing!
I tried three times in case it was just a glitch but no luck. When I looked at the TravelDrive on MyComputer, it said it contains "userkey.psw" ... but I couldn't open it in any way. Any way to get round this? Susan

 

windows 10 password unrecognised

Hi Janzell,

Thank you for the reply.

Are you using the same account as loptop or a different account on the desktop?

As I have mentioned above you need to go to laptop, open a browser and then try to log in. Check if you are able to log into the Microsoft account.

Microsoft account FAQ:

Get The Answers You Need From The Microsoft Support Page

If it is a password issue, then you need to reset the password.

 

Did you set up a Microsoft account? If you did, use the password from the Microsoft account.

 

Make sure the caps lock is off.

Ben

 

Welcome to TenForums @SJM2

One other thing to check is the keyboard language. If you have multiple input languages available (I use ENG UK and ENG US, for example) you'll see (and be able to change) the input language near the bottom right of the sign-in screen.

It you use the " £ $ or @ characters in the password, the US/UK keyboards would type something other that what is shown on the key if the wrong input language was selected.

You can click on the 'eye' icon at the end of the password box to see the password in plain text and check you have typed it as you intended.

 

After two tears, you must be positive. Use Bree's idea of 'view' password icon so you can verify what you type in.

 

Before you try changing anything, use the existing account to create an additional password-protected Admin-level local account. That will ensure that you can get back into the computer with access to all its existing files if you do end up with any problems with your existing user account.

There's a useful tutorial at Account - Add in Windows 10

Creating a spare password-protected Admin-level local account is always a useful precaution to take even in the absence of any problems or confusion about existing accounts.

Do write the new account's password down somewhere secure - there is no need to consider the facility that local accounts have to create a 'Password reset disk' because that is just a glorified alternative to a piece of paper.

Denis

 

Hi there Denis, Many thanks for the suggestion for creating alternative account - I followed the vg tutorial and it worked like a dream. What a great idea. The only minor problem is that the alternative me can't open my Picasa , it just says Can't find any photos. Yes I know Picasa is out of date but haven't found anything so simple and good to use. Anyway, it's not that important, the great thing is that I'm assured access to the laptop. Regards, Susan

 

@sjm, the 'new you' has a new user folder of it's own to use. The photos and all your other documents and files are in the 'old you's user folder. Open File Explorer and look for C:\Users\<youroldname>. Inside there you'll find the Documents, Pictures, Music etc. folders belonging to the old you. Just copy all the files you want over to the same folders in your new user folder.

You did follow Denis' suggestion in full? You did make the new you an administrator? You'll need to be in order to go into another user's folders.