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Question

Password issue hp

Jun 30, 2019 1:21PM PDT

I have an hp notebook, it froze and wouldnt do anything so I forced shut down and now my password won't work. It said to reset Microsoft password which I did and that also didn't work. Then I did a Microsoft account recovery and set up yet another new password and that too didn't work so I am completely locked out of my laptop cannot get past first password lockscreen and really don't want to factory reset as will lose important photos. Please help

Discussion is locked

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Answer
try booting to safemode
Jun 30, 2019 1:44PM PDT

would really be nice to know what operating system you are using. that is the only real way to get help

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Windows 10
Jun 30, 2019 1:47PM PDT

I tried rebooting to safe mode after finding instructions online but it just took me back to the same password screen that I can't get access from. Currently restoring to previous session as it said there was an update applied today which I guess may have caused it so trying to reset to before update happened

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Windows 10
Jun 30, 2019 1:49PM PDT

I tried rebooting to safe mode after finding instructions online but it just took me back to the same password screen that I can't get access from. Tried restoring to previous session as it said there was an update applied today which I guess may have caused it so tried to reset to before update but it said it failed

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Try this.
Jun 30, 2019 2:05PM PDT
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you can reinstall without losing data
Jun 30, 2019 2:06PM PDT
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If their email login has failed or has been BANNED
Jun 30, 2019 2:21PM PDT

By Microsoft then they will reset and possibly lose files.

I would use the "create a new admin account" using the HowToGeek article instead.

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Answer
W10 is fairly easy to reset the password.
Jun 30, 2019 2:06PM PDT
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Answer
PS. You didn't tell enough.
Jun 30, 2019 2:07PM PDT

I can't tell if you used the email login system or local. In either case you CAN NO)T and CAN NEVER go without a spare local admin account to deal with small issues.

This may be your first time hearing this but for over two decades it's been a thing.

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Totally confused
Jun 30, 2019 2:12PM PDT

I have tried the password reset thing, I don't have any set up disks or windows 10 disk as laptop is about 12 years old (It was all set up when I was given it so don't have any of the original software stuff) and also has no disk drive. I have an alternative email I used to restore Microsoft account. All seems like it should have worked in setting up a new password but computer still says it's wrong despite resetting password 4 times now

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W10 disks are free.
Jun 30, 2019 2:17PM PDT

Well the download is free. I've made my own ever since W10 rolled out.

BEYOND THAT, the article NEVER asked you to use the Windows 10 Disc.

Look at the step under "Create a New User to Save Account Files" where we use a roundabout way to create a New (ADMIN!!!) User to get in and save account files.

-> Also, you hare been unclear if this is one of those (horrid) email logins or a local login. Either way you learn the horror of email logins. Those do break and can result is never working again.

This is another reason why we keep a spare Admin account. Which the article will let me do without using a Windows 10 Disc.

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if the laptop is 12 years old
Jun 30, 2019 2:21PM PDT

no disk drive?? what is the full model number of the laptop.

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Trying to find out
Jun 30, 2019 2:24PM PDT

All I know at moment is its and hp mini and has no disk drive will try to find out more info but any booklets etc are buried in the attic and can't work out bow to get into laptop to find model number since I can't get past first screen will update asap

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(NT) Hp mini 110-3107sa
Jun 30, 2019 2:37PM PDT
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Small world.
Jun 30, 2019 3:01PM PDT

We had one of those at the office years ago. The procedures at Howtogeek apply. From your reply above I worry you skipped reading the article and are looking for an even easier fix. That's OK, in that case you give it to those that work on your PC issues and show them this article.

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agree with the howtogeek link
Jun 30, 2019 3:05PM PDT

my original posts does not apply now that we know exactly what you have.

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A W10 disc or W10 USB stick
Jun 30, 2019 2:25PM PDT

Isn't required for the procedures I noted.

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Answer
Sorry if I've offended
Jun 30, 2019 11:43PM PDT

I didn't mean to ignore articles I had already read these before posting, problem is I don't understand anything about computers so none of it made any sense that is why I asked for human help so someone could talk me through it. I have however found a way to access a menu that allowed me to rest and reinstall windows 10 without losing my files and low and behold the password I've had for 12 years that the computer kept telling me was wrong for 4 hours has now worked and I have access again

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Nope. You're good.
Jul 1, 2019 12:18AM PDT

The method I linked to can be too much for a lot of folk.

As to your solution, it's great that it worked but it is dangerous.

Since you have access now, you have your chance (second or more) to safeguard your files by backing them up.