Microsoft Account horror

joarthur98 said:

Okay this is not written for this forum – I am just endlessly annoyed of the time spent on configuring windows according to their ever changing rules – all done for my safety, obviously. I felt I had not emptied my full frustration in the limited “FEEDBACK”

People are easily scared. The absurd idea that internet and/or computers bare somehow dangerous seem to be accepted around the globe. As a result any amount of nonsense can now be justified with the concern the computer business has for our safety.

For most people there is only one concern, the risk of losing data. Of data loss, I suspect 90 % are the result of unnecessary security and upgrades. This is probably a low estimate considering the enormous sums of money this drivel generates. My system either crashes from malfunctioning apps or tampering with user rights. As far as I can understand Apps are essentially bad version of old software.
If possible, rubbish like apps are made essential and integral part of the system or other functions. It is far outside my field of interest to find any logic for why I do not have access to the hidden "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps". I am not interested in the answer, because it is clearly designed this way. For some reason, beyond me, the conclusion of the brightest minds in Microsoft was that this solution will lead to the most profit.
Bitlocker stopped my access to three harddisks, because the keys saved at two different locations somehow were wrong. I cannot enter bios because it suddenly decided to protect itself with a password. Windows 11 demands secure boot capabilities – which is not possible without access to my bios. Earlier company’s provided a bios reset password. Now, they have all agreed it is better for the customer to buy a new laptop – to spare us from the agony of theft apparently.
I would not be surprised to learn that the password for my bios was engineered via a virus. Just like I suspect most that most viruses are made on the inside. There is just too much money to be made.

I have now spent about three days to get back my Microsoft Account password. The problem started when I opted for passwordless login with MS. When later asked by some other MS login – the result is messages like ‘this is probably our fault, but your password is wrong. Any fix for problems like this from Microsoft either warn me to not turn off UAC or the really helpful ‘Something unexpected happened’.
The complete waste of time … The horror …

OS build: 19044.2006

i concur
i'm intoxicated atm...but i concur
whatever you're saying

As to the BIOS, there's two settings for password in it, one for a "supervisor" to even enter the BIOS and the separate one for allowing the Operating System to start. Both usually can be disabled by removing the battery for the CMOS [where the BIOS is stored]. Remove all power from a computer and wait several minutes for residual power to drain off. Some motherboards may have a jumper on the board used to clear the BIOS, does the same thing. Put the battery back then the power and try again.

Berton said:

As to the BIOS, there's two settings for password in it, one for a "supervisor" to even enter the BIOS and the separate one for allowing the Operating System to start. Both usually can be disabled by removing the battery for the CMOS [where the BIOS is stored]. Remove all power from a computer and wait several minutes for residual power to drain off. Some motherboards may have a jumper on the board used to clear the BIOS, does the same thing. Put the battery back then the power and try again.

Unfortunately a lot of devices these days do not use a CMOS battery anymore - they use a rechargable battery or capacitor to hold bios settings. Also, for some laptops even if they have a cmos battery, they are very difficult to get at.

cereberus said:

Unfortunately a lot of devices these days do not use a CMOS battery anymore - they use a rechargable battery or capacitor to hold bios settings. Also, for some laptops even if they have a cmos battery, they are very difficult to get at.

Indeed.
For instance on newer laptops all is SMD soldered. The CMOS cell battery can be miniaturized and even soldered on the board.
And if it's a capacitor then it's the de facto way it's done, just soldered.

I have a new Lenovo Thinkpad, these are very accessible.
You can turn off the main power battery from the BIOS. Then laptop turns off and you can remove the back cover and the battery power pins. No idea about the BIOS battery though.

But on some models it's is a nightmare just to access the board so simply not doing it will be safer in this case.

If you do not like Apps then don't use them.
If you do not like MSAccounts-linked user accounts then use local user accounts instead.

Denis

Try3 said:

If you do not like Apps then don't use them.
If you do not like MSAccounts-linked user accounts then use local user accounts instead.

Denis

Additionally, if OP does not like Windows use a different operating system.

It is far outside my field of interest to find any logic for why I do not have access to the hidden "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps".

Same principle applies to the hidden files (protected operating system files and hidden files and folders (options in file explorer, Folder Options, View).

These are not accessible immediately to protect people from accessing things and doing potential damage.

Alas too much of the O/S is exposed to precisely that.

Ways to access C:\Program Files\WindowsApps have been frequently described.

But that's not your primary concern of course.

As to being bale to take the back off your laptop- last one I bought that was one thing I looked for. The chassis was by Clevo. Very accessible. Alas I gather many are not now.