jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I turned on my Acer laptop this morning, and it had to do a lengthy Windows update. When it was finished, it started and asked for a password. Password? What password? I can't remember using a password with this - not for months, at least. Now I'm going to have to buy a new computer!

395 people had the same problem on the MS help site.

RogStrix Loc: UK

That will probably be your Hotmail/Microsoft password...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

And that is...?

I hate when MS wants me to sign into my account - and DropBox. I don't want an account, and I have to keep changing my P/W because it doesn't accept the one I made last time. Don't they have computers to verify passwords at MS?

I'll have to start in Safe Mode and take it from there. Maybe later today.

Iron Sight Loc: Utah

I never have any problems with my refrigerator 😀

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Leave passwords and Wi-Fi out of them, and they'll keep your food cold and frozen. Let Microsoft get involved, and it will keep the frozen food cool, and freeze everything else. And it won't let you open the door.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A solution! Following online directions, I booted into Safe Mode, followed directions, and reset the password by answering three security questions. Lucky for me, I was able to remember where I was born. Whew! My next bit of magic will be eliminating the need for a password.

pumakat

Eliminate the password?!
GREAT IDEA!

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

How many of us are using our computers at home, not using a public computer, or not using our laptop at Starbucks or Panera? 99.9%? If so, then why can't we see what we type when entering passwords? WHY WHY WHY? Oh, I know the reason: there are one or two apps every software writer uses for passwords, and these apps are for public computers or in office work computers. They use these apps and only these apps because so many users have found all the bugs there were to find.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Try entering. password

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It wouldn't accept that, either.

I solved the problem with a combination of Safe Mode and "No Password Required."

Windows Password after Update

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-cannot-login-after-windows-10-update-says/7e799c58-af65-4836-b8f4-7065cba00883

If Windows asks for a password, do the following.

Boot into Safe Mode.
1. With the computer turned on, hold down the Shift key while clicking the Power button on the screen (probably bottom right).
2. Continue holding down the Shift key while clicking Restart.
3. Continue holding down the Shift key until the Advanced Recovery Options menu appears.
4. Click Troubleshoot
5. Click Advanced options
6. Click Startup Settings
7. Click Restart
8. Press (4) to Enable Safe Mode
9. Windows 10 will start in Safe Mode.
10. Log in. At this point, you should be able to click “Forgot Password.”
11. You should be presented with your security questions. If yu get these right, you can enter a new password.

If you are still unable to log in, see the following:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Use No Password or PIN

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-launch-windows-without-entering-a-password#:~:text=At%20the%20Open%20field%20in,password%20to%20use%20this%20computer.

1. Press the Windows key and R.
2. In the box that appears, type netplwiz
3. The User Accounts Control Panel, will appear. Select the account you wish to use to log in automatically.
4. Uncheck the box above that says Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Click OK.
5. Enter your password once and then a second time to confirm it. Click OK.
6. Reboot your PC. You’ll now bypass the login screen as well as the Lock screen and automatically arrive at the desktop in Windows 10 or Windows 11.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Face it Jerry! It asked you for a password so you would have one more "Chat Story". How will I start my day without one of your "Chat" dilemmas?
Thanks for keeping my brain alive & well!
Mark

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

Hahahahahahaahaha

Modnar Loc: Batley' West Yorkshire, UK

You can set a PIN. That is a four digit number. Then set 0000 as the pin. It's not difficult to remember. I use it for logging on to many devices where security is not a problem but still ask for a password/code.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, but I don't want a PIN. I want Total Control!

It's easy enough to bypass any kind of sign-in, but you have to take all the steps in the right order. I'll do that later.

Laramie Loc: Tempe

Jerry, please don't use personal information for security questions. The cloud is a secure as the platform it's on.