Windows 10: Windows asking for USB security key I never set up

Out of the blue, when I use some apps, Windows is asking me to sign in with my USB Security key. But I never set up a USB Security Key, and it will not let me sign in any other way.In Security -> Ways to sign In, I see several sign-in options there and most of them have a "remove this way of signing in" option there, EXCEPT the USB Security key option, which only has "Manage". But if I click "manage", it asks me for my USB Security key which I don't have and never set up to access it.

:)

 

dont have usb for security key

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



In order to get better clarity on the issue, please let us know:

• When you say “got deleted off usb or usb flash drive is not working either way", are you unable to use USB flash drive on the computer?
• When you say “I don't exactly have a security key", which security key are you referring to?
• Which build version of Windows 10 is installed on the computer? Refer
  Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

I would suggest you to try plugging the USB to a different USB port and check if that helps. You can also try connecting the USB to a different computer and check.



Meanwhile, I would suggest you to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article

Error: “USB Device not recognized" when you try to access a USB external hard drive except Method 1 & 2 and see if that makes any difference.



A security key is a physical device that you can use instead of your user name and password to sign in. Since it’s used in addition to a fingerprint or PIN, even if someone has your security key, they won’t be able to sign in without the PIN or fingerprint
that you create.​​​



However, if you had configured security key earlier by any chance, you may refer Sign
in to your Microsoft account with Windows Hello or a security key.



For additional information, see
Windows Hello and FIDO2 Security Keys enable secure and easy authentication for shared devices.



Let us know the results. If the issue persists, we will certainly assist you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Asked for USB security key which has never been set up

Hi, I was trying to check to my gmail from my browser and it asks me for USB security key, which I have never set up.

I checked Account > Ways to sign in > Security Key settings on Windows 11 and clicked on manage, but it asked me for security key.





Fortunately I managed to choose different option to sign in from the browser, but any idea what's going on here?

By the way, it is similar to this question which obviously the answer doesn't help.

 

Installing windows off of a USB stick

Step By Step from vista:
From admin cmd prompt

1. diskpart
1a. list disk
2. select disk 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Copy Windows Vista's DVD ROM content to the Flash Drive

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (d being your vista cd and e being your usb stick)

And that's it, boot off your usb disk