Windows password update confusion

UglyTrk57 · 28 Jun 2017

I am running Windows 10 on an HP laptop. I admit I am old and slow, but I have been deeply involved with PC's since 1983 so I am not a neophyte. However, the insistent requirement to change Windows passwords has me confused. It seems as though there are multiple Windows passwords, and I can't determine which I am to change. I have a password for Windows Live, one for my laptop, one for One Drive, and probably more that I can't remember. However the notice I keep getting is to "Change the Windows password".

I guess my question is if a tutorial, written or recorded, that explains a couple of things: first, how do I tell the difference between the passwords, and second, when should I expect to change each of these passwords?

Windows 10 is indeed a different experience, not in operation but in environmental control. I think I will like it when I get an understanding of this new environment. Any recommendations on publications would be appreciated.

Samuria · 28 Jun 2017

Welcome to the forums. What exactly is asking for you to change the password it's not normal for it to ask to change the password. If you login with a Microsoft account to Windows it normally covers one drive Windows login email etc

Bastet · 28 Jun 2017

I wonder if you have set your MS account to change password every 72 days.
Check your account to see if this is so.
If you're using a Microsoft account, the steps we mentioned earlier won't work. However, you can enable an option on your account to make you change your password every 72 days.

Open your browser and sign in to your Microsoft account. On Security & privacy, click on the Change password link. Create a new password.
Check the Make me change my password every 72 days option.

To undo it just remove the tick from the make me change my password.

UglyTrk57 · 28 Jun 2017

Samuria - I want to believe it is the WIndows 10 on my laptop notifying me to change the password, but I am not certain.

Bastet - I am assuming you are talking about my "master" Microsoft account that links the associated products such as Live, One Drive, etc. I want to believe that is okay, although I did change all of these earlier during a true moment of confusion. I have never been notified by this account manager to change anything. I guess I should have thought of that earlier, but I was pretty hot under the collar earlier.

I really wish the Microsoft message said what software product required a password change, Would make my life much simpler.

Thanks to both of you for the responses.

Bastet · 28 Jun 2017

If you change your Microsoft account password/master password it'll change the password for all MS apps like OneNote, Outlook email, OneDrive etc so my question is are you changing the password for each MS app as you want individual passwords as I don't think that's possible.

UglyTrk57 · 28 Jun 2017

Thanks for the reply, Bastet

To be honest, I don't know the exact order in which things happened, but I did change my Windows Live password, then One Drive didn't work so I had to change that one as well, using the same password as MS Live. It is working OK now. I have been thinking on this since the last post, and have to believe the password change prompt was from the laptop, not from Microsoft corporate since that has never happened before.

Also, after looking at a few other posts, I hate to admit it, but the password cannot be eliminated as long as I am listed as the Administrator. I am considering establishing a new account to be used exclusively as the Administration account. After that, the Administration function can be removed from my local account - maybe. We'll see soon, as soon as I read up on it a bit more. This is strange territory for me.