Login changed from PIN to password, No option to change back to PIN

Hello JimT

Welcome to TenForums!

I don't recall Windows Update being capable of installing mysterious passwords. I know Windows Update can definitely render a computer unable to boot at times.

Leave the password field blank and hit enter and see what happens.

Jim,

I've heard of updates resetting your account to require its full password instead of its PIN. That's nothing new so I do not know why the previous reply said what it did.

JimT said:

The user account I was using was the Admin account.

1 I assume you mean an Admin account you created and not the Built-In Admin account.

2.1 If it's an MSAccount-linked user account, go straight to Change local and MS account Password - TenForumsTutorials ***

2.2 If it's a local account then enable the Built-In Admin account Built-In Administrator account - Enable or Disable - TenForumsTutorials,
log in with it,
use its authority to change your normal account's password [this will probably remove your saved internet logins though] Change local and MS account Password - TenForumsTutorials,
write your normal account's new password down somewhere secure yet accessible ***,
log in to your normal account using its new password,
set up its PIN TenForumsTutorials,
write the PIN down somewhere secure yet accessible ***,
disable the Built-In Admin account.

3 *** My account passwords are on a strip of paper inside one of those dog nametag cylinder things attached to my main keyring -

Here's a [UK] link for ID tags https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Barrel-.../dp/B00DEB1JVQ just as an example. There are lots of available choices but I bought ones that, like these, have a slot in the bottom for me to swing off so I can be confident they won't come apart accidentally while I'm out & about.

Denis