Argh. Is there any way I can recover password?

[spoil]

I have been working on this forever, and I really need help.

I lost my main account password. My bad, for sure. I have another account that I can get into, and I can get windows to send that account a verification code. That seemed promising, but windows responded by saying, yeah, I proved that I can get into the account, but not that I *own* it. I don't know what to do with that. I've also shown that I can provide a long-digit answer to one of those questions they ask. (I could answer *all* of them, but windows only ever asks that one--I read that they are transitioning away from questions.)

Any ideas, aside from being more careful in the future, like making a password reset disk?

 

[spoil]

Oh, one other thing. Windows offered to send a verification code to my old cell phone number. That number is still unassigned, and I just got a new cell, so I was wondering whether I could grab that old number, and thus receive the code. But if Windows *still* won't believe that I own the account, there wouldn't be much point.

 

[Snuffy]

you can always ask MS for you Password, easy
start --> run--> The method that works the same in all versions of Windows. First, open the Control Panel and then go to “User Accounts –> Credential Manager.”
1. command prompt as admin - netplwiz
=============================
Please start the Windows 10 cmd.exe in administrative mode [Windows-Logo+X].

Please enter the command " net user " , then they see all Windows-10 User Accounts.

Then type in the command (in this case for the administrator account): "net user administrator *
And now enter the new Windows 10 password and retype the password to confirm the password.

But you can also change quite regularly on "User Accounts" password:
=======================================
you can try this:at logon you have to change the pass
net user loginname password /add /LOGONPASSWORDCHG:yes

 

[spoil]

Thanks, Snuffy. Unfortunately, I'm not following you completely tonight. Possibly I'll have better luck after a night's sleep. In any case, thanks again.

- Tom

 

[Snuffy]

You can either totally remove or change as you desire. I usually add a new Account as Admin. no pass then as Admin you can change the old Admin to standard user, then reboot again as new admin and remove the old account... now you have only 1 Account as Admin and No Pass, so if you want to add a pass then do so.

 

[davehc]

Isnt the op discussing his Windows log in password?
I dont think changing the Admin password will help with that..but??

 

[Snuffy]

yes, because then he is New Admin and can Delete the old login/pass.
That is how I do a new Clean Install for my Clients, then if they have a specific "worker" that is for that Computer, then i simply make a new login/pass for them.

 

[davehc]

Horses for courses, I guess!
I am logged in with my Microsoft account. I dont know of any “internal” way I could change the password except by going directly through MS and my account, and then having it verified.

 

[Snuffy]

MS wants you to think that, but really more than MS way, and it really is easy....
several 3d party programs have GUI to allow you the easy way. and also Tech has different methods to add/remove/change Passwords/
and login pass is what most people forget, and therefore other than jumping thru the hoops and email and wait, just do it, and MS simply does not need to know....click yes and its GONE. but then i was sure most users had more than 1 Login. Notice that is Windows Credentials.

 

[davehc]

Ok. Well, perhaps my circumstances are different. I am only logged in with a Microsoft account. I can ONLY change it through the settings, and then having it verified, or, as I said, going to my account on line and changing it there.
I am not aware of any third party programs that can do that (and I hope not!)

 

[Snuffy]

There are many I use more than one depends on OS and manufacture of clients that forget passwords... I find they prefer to me using, or they format and loose all data. (PS:I will not name due to) but MS offers you more than one method to regain your system when you forget or your grandkid changes.

 

[davehc]

MS , naturally! If you are using an MS account, it would be a little obscure to use a third party program - ifany

 

[Snuffy]

They get tired of verify who you are, then wait several days, before you can get password changed. Far too many times, a Client has a no longer employed change the pass to work computer, so client has no access, or they forget or write it wrong, over the past 25 yrs, I have seen this far too many times, cost lots of $$$ to try and restore by printed paper, even if they can find, lost movies, or porn is not what my clients have, most are either Tax Records, Bank Records, Business Info. litte tricks learned over the years being a Official Tester for MS (Pre-Win95). or how to reinstall a floppy disk set of 11, the fast way. not 1 @ a time. Many Program write the name your Register with, on that Floppy, so how to not have it recorded but still install and work 100%, Name and Key (Serial not recorded on Disk.)
So far I have only showed how to do the recommended MS way. As shown in my icon it is caveman easy...

 

[davehc]

Huh! You select forgotten password. You are asked to provide your check. You are i formed the code is to be srnt. I dont know which country you are in, but here that takes about ten seconds

 

[Snuffy]

USA and like the original mentioned he no longer had the email attached to the request.
For me faster to open and use command as Admin and remove then add a new pass.
netplwiz is one method, or use password reset disk or As Admin Now you can reset your account password from "Control Panel -> User Accounts". or
Command Prompt window. Now type nusrmgr.cpl and press <Enter>.
It'll open the same "User Accounts" window which you see in Control Panel.
Now you can remove or reset any account password without any problem
or
control userpasswords2
all method deamed Legal by MS since they have offered "how to many times" some to Beta Testers, some to TechNet and some to Insider Testers.
also the old 3 times still works...

 

[davehc]

I change my (MS) password every couple of months. I do not know exactly what the OP is trying too establish, but "Windows offered to send a verification code to my old cell phone number. That number is still unassigned, and I just got a new cell, so I was wondering whether I could grab that old number" when you start this process, there is an item at the bottom of "I do not have this" or similar. He needs only to put in a useable Email or Mobile number (his new one) and . done.

But, as you wish. I'm out of here. I remain unconvinced that you can hack the Microsoft login by the ways you describe. Certainly not by changing the Admin password, which is not connected with the log in.