Issue with PIN/password after update

I've never used a PIN to login to my laptop, always used a password. An update ran the other night and ever since it's asking for a PIN (which I obviously don't know). Yesterday the "forgot my PIN" option would work and brought me to a screen asking for my password, but it's for an old login that I changed around 2 years ago. I type the password and it accepts it/takes me to the change PIN screen, but then pops up a message "we weren't able to set up your PIN. You can try again or skip this step and setup a PIN later." If I choose Retry, the same message pops up. If I choose skip, it goes straight back to the login screen that's asking for a PIN. 

Today the "forgot my PIN" link doesn't even work, when I click it, it just goes back to the lock screen. 

I've tried booting into Safe Mode/Safe Mode with Networking and I've tried Restoring from a previous point, but it doesn't show any listed. 

Hi FP. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

System Restore is your first line of defense if Windows ever malfunctions as it can run even from recovery media to get you back before a problem started. It should always be turned on C drive with plenty of disk space (5-15%) configured. Here's how to check and when necessary how to run System Restore: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

Without it see if you can go into Settings > Accounts > Sign In Options to remove the PIN.

See 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 the full illustrated tutorial covering all possible problems here:
https://www.askvg.com/fix-unable-to-add-and-use...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. 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 it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Thanks for replying! I can't actually get into Settings > Accounts because I can't get past the Lock Screen. It's actually not even showing the link below enter PIN "forgot my PIN" anymore. All I have on the Lock Screen is enter PIN, then in the lower right corner Wi-Fi (which is connected), Ease of Access, and Power Options. 

I also tried uninstalling the latest update from Advance Startup Options since it didn't show any Restore points, but no luck

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Do you see the Sign in Options icon to change to a password, as shown in the illustration below?

Image

If the password cannot be made to work I will show you how to replace or repair the account so you can still get into Windows, or if necessary reset or reinstall Windows.

To replace the account first enable the built-in Hidden Administrator from the sign in screen:
https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin... (Avoid the password reset link at the end of the editorial copy)

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 replace or repair the old 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 to enable the built-in Hidden Administrator per the tutorial earlier.

Then create a new Local Admin account to replace yours:
https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-user-a...

Sign into the new account, test it works and resolves the problem(s), if so you can move your files over at C:\Users.

You can also try to repair the old Account by running a Repair Install by running the media you created earlier from Windows as shown here: https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2016/06/how-to.... This reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place; takes about an hour, resolves most problems. It also brings it to the latest version by the most stable method.

If it doesn't fix the old account, when ready you can delete the old account by one of these methods:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5464-delete...

Then if desired change it to a MS Account: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5375-switch...

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.

If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

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 it.

____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Last updated April 15, 2024 Views 15,109 Applies to: