SOLVED Can't get in with my old password and can't reset. What do I do?

[Patricia]

Have just upgraded this afternoon and now can't get beyond the request for a password on my lap top. The password I have always used is apparently "incorrect". I can't reset either as I am being told I need a USB flash drive which I don't have. Why is this happening and what can I do to get into my lap top?

 

[Digerati]

I have not heard of W10 changing passwords. Any chance your caps lock is on?

 

[Patricia]

I've checked that and that's not the problem

 

[Digerati]

I am sorry but I cannot help you. One guy was lucky here: https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/keeps-saying-incorrect-password.1185/#post-8661

 

[Patricia]

I've checked that and that's not the problem

Hurray - I'm in! I clicked on the reset computer icon, then used my password and it worked.

 

[Digerati]

Great! I am glad you got in. Thanks for posting your followup.

 

[Trouble]

Just for the record.....
There is some information flying around out there that suggests that a laptop upgrade may impact the keyboard behavior and can evoke the numlock key without being obvious.
Some people have reported successfully circumventing this by using the On Screen Keyboard (OSK.exe) or by using the little "eye" feature in the password box to examine the results of their typing to ensure that the password is being entered correctly.

 

[JW09I4]

Just an FYI as having to do a Reset is not an ideal solution, nor one I would ever recommend as it's a bad feature altogether, analogous to treating a minor scratch with amputation.

There are several free DOS utilities out there that can easily remove or change a forgotten Windows password. HBCD 15.2 [Hiren's BootCD] contains several DOS programs that can do so

• Boot to HBCD -> DOS Programs -> #3: Password & Registry Tools -> #1 Offline NT Password Changer.
  • Simply follow the prompts of what's being asked. ensuring one fully reads the output & what's being asked.

I would link to the HBCD site, however it includes a pirated copy of Windows XP and therefore would likely violate forum rules. If for anything else, it contains an excellent set of DOS freeware that comes in quite handy for troubleshooting and fixing issues.