I have a Dell Windows 10 Home laptop that I bought new less than one year ago.
I don't use a password to log on and now I'm trying to set a password. All methods I've been able to find instructions for require entering the current password.
If I have a password, I don't know what it is. Is it possible I never set one?
How can I set or reset my password?
Any assistance is appreciated.
Did you use a Microsoft account to set up the device or go straight to a Local Account ? If the prior, go to your account page and try to reset there. If the latter, did you try just leaving the fields blank ?
It seems unlikely I would have created a Microsoft account but it would be prudent to make sure before going further.
Do you know how I can tell?
TenForums has a tutorial for that...
Local Account or Microsoft Account - How to Tell in Windows 10
It's a local account.Did you use a Microsoft account to set up the device or go straight to a Local Account ? If the prior, go to your account page and try to reset there. If the latter, did you try just leaving the fields blank ?
When you said did I try leaving the fields blank, I did try that from the Change Password screen via Ctl+Alt+Del by leaving the current password field blank and entering a new password. It did not work.
Where else would I try leaving the fields blank?
If your local account is an administrator you can create and manage other accounts. You can reset the password for another account without knowing its original password.
Password of User Account - Reset in Windows 10
Why not create a new local account, make it an administrator then sign in to it. From there you can run netplwiz from which you can reset the password of your first account, making it blank if you wish, without being asked for the previous password.
You could delete the 2nd account when you're done, but I find it useful to have a 'spare' administrator account available for emergencies.
Last edited by Brink; 22 Jan 2017 at 00:30. Reason: added link for more info
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