I forgot my pin

Hi Padoramus. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.
In order to have a PIN or any other method, you must first have a password and it should always be available on any sign in screen from the link "Sign in Options."
If you forgot your password or it doesn't work you can reset it from any other device here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402683...

If you don't have your Security info & security codes updated to receive a reset code then the options we have to help you are limited by Microsoft policy which is stated here: Technical support policy for lost or forgotten passwords - Microsoft 365 Security | Microsoft Docs

If you can get signed in change your PIN in Settings > Accounts > Sign In Options.
If you have problems here how to reset the PIN in Windows 10 when it will not work from Settings > Accounts > Sign In Options:
Open Windows File Explorer using the file folder icon on your task bar.
Tick the box in File Explorer View tab to Show Hidden Files.
Browse to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc
Delete or rename to Ngc.old this folder to reset the PIN.
**You may need to first take ownership of the folder: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3841-add-ta...
Once you delete or rename the folder it will recreate it so you can add a PIN normally in Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options. You may need to restart the PC first.
For any unexpected problems see tutorials covering all possible problems here:
https://www.askvg.com/fix-unable-to-add-and-use...   
https://www-lifewire-com.translate.goog/remove-...

Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________ Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

The problem is that the microsoft password recovery process is the same as the pin recovery process, and the email still doesn't exist and even when I try the process again it still doesn't believe that it is my email

Are you given the choice for Sign in Options on the Log-in Screen? What happens if you choose password? Why can't you use your password?

If you cannot change your password because the Security info stored here was not kept up to date: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12428/... or password or password change is not working properly, then you'll need to do Account Recovery.

If you can prove it's your account by knowing enough information about it then they should let you recover it, possibly after a waiting period during which they observe the account to see who shows up. Otherwise they will not budge because after decades they have this down to a science to be sure they're giving your information only to you and not a hacker or stalker.

So spend as much time as necessary in this walk through of the Account Recovery form to prove it's your account which is what matters most:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17875/...

Meanwhile if you're locked out of Windows I will show you how to create a new Account so you can still get into your Windows install for now using all of it's apps and accessing data, or if necessary reset or reinstall Windows.

Create the new Local Admin account directly from the Command Prompt as shown here: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...

This requires accessing the Command Prompt using bootable media which is the only method that doesn't require a password. If you don't want to do that then you can try now to Reset Windows 10 from the Sign in Screen as shown in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zonjyd2L_GQ

To create a new Admin Local account go to another PC to create bootable media following the steps toward the bottom of the download page here in the section "Using the tool to create installation media:"
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/software-downlo... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options to open Command Prompt create a new Local Admin account to replace yours:
https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...

Sign into the new account, set it up, check all apps work or reinstall any that don't, access your files via C:\Users. It will give ownership with a green progress bar that travels across the URL box until all files are unlocked and available.

If that fails you can go back into the bootable media to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset saving files. You can also rescue files beforehand using the same bootable media via one of these methods:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... and then do the deeper clean reset since you have to reinstal your apps anyway and it's a cleaner install.

And if all that fails from bootable media choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.



I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install.

HI Greg. I'm having a problem similar to Padoramus's.

31 days ago, I initiated a change of my alternate security email at MS, because the prior address had become obsolete. The clock on the 30-day security reset period started.

A few days later, after an MS upgrade, my computer (Lenovo Thinkpad) would not log in using my fingerprint, requiring my PIN instead. I'd forgotten my PIN, and could not reset it using an email link, because of the pending email reset waiting period. I tried getting in with various approximations of my PIN, and, after several attempts, the log-in page required me to enter a 'challenge phrase' before proceeding; the challenge phrase is trivial.

Now MS has informed me that the 30-day alternate email reset period has elapsed. However, when I enter the challenge phrase now, the Lenovo login page no longer offers me the password log-in option. It will only accept a PIN login, which I can't provide without a reset.

Any insights? Can I reset the Lenovo pin using my other PC, for example?

As a last resort, can I reset to factory conditions and set up a new PIN (all my document files are backed up, so I'd just have to reload the various software applications)?

It's odd having a new, high-quality laptop that's become unusable, even after biometric login ID had been established.

Oops. After writing, I saw and watched the embedded video on factory-reset procedure; so I see that you've already answered my last question.

If I can't make progress with a PIN reset by this evening, I'll probably step ahead into this alternative.

Okay, I've fixed this now. A simple re-start brings back the password option. D'oh!

Thanks.