Trying to find/recover Win10 Password.

OldNick · 15 Aug 2023

I have forgotten my Win 10 password. I tried to recover/reset it via M$oft's method. At this stage I have twice entered 4 email addresses that I have sent to lately and also the exact (copy/paste) titles to those posts. That is after I did the bit before all that, where I gave general details.

M$ofts' messages has now 3 times been that their auto filter says I have not provided enough details. There is no hint about where I have failed.

What on earth do I do? This is insane. It's great to improve security, but to discommode to me this level and leave the ball entirely in my court????

Thanks for any help

Nick

Try3 · 15 Aug 2023

Nick,

You cannot find or recover passwords for Windows user accounts using any standard software.
You can reset them i.e. set up replacement passwords.
my ditty - reset or change account password [post #3] - TenForums

Since you are describing MSAccounts, I assume you need MSAccount facilities. If not, use Local accounts instead.
How to Tell if Local Account or Microsoft Account - TenForumsTutorials
You would never get stuck [as you currently are] with a Local account.
my ditty - Create two spare local, password-protected Admin accounts [post #2] - TenForums

Best of luck,
Denis

dalchina · 15 Aug 2023

Just a note: if (once you've -hopefully- recovered your account(s) ):

note that if you elect to use a non-password dependent method of logging in (e.g. PIN, biometrics) - the password remains valid and its necessary to know it.

Even if you log in with, say, a PIN, there are still circumstances when you are required to use your password.

Of course, if you were to log in to your MS account, that's another example.

Best keep it secure, somewhere so it's accessible without your PC, whether that be encrypted 'in the cloud' or encoded on paper in a manner you can't forget.

Megahertz · 15 Aug 2023

@OldNick, unless you use drive encryption, Windows passwords is so easy to bypass that it is useless.
Just boot with a Linux USB drive and you have access to all files.

I only have local accounts on Win 7 or Win 10. I don't like the idea of someone tracking me on my own computer.
On my desktop I have no password. Why have one, I'm the only one using the computer.
On my laptop, that I use when I travel and has no sensitive files, I use a 3 letters password (a keyboard sequence like poi or wer). They keep curios people out but not a medium level technician.