Surface Book Password Woe

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by markbyrn, Nov 12, 2018.

  1. markbyrn

    markbyrn MDL Novice

    Apr 29, 2010
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    On my Surface Book running Win 10 (1809), I use my Microsoft account for login with Windows Hello or the Pin. The other day, I did a msconfig diagnostic startup due to performance issues. On restart and login, Windows Hello was disabled it wanted my account password - no option for the pin either. Unfortunately, despite entering my correct and current Microsoft account password (verified on another machine), the password was deemed incorrect. Selecting forgot password looped me back to a Windows Hello attempt which was still disabled from the diagnostic startup, and then it asked me for my password (no option for pin) - rinse and repeat.

    At that point, I had to do the power off / power on cycle a few times to force recovery mode and try a restore. Obtaining my Surface Book Bitlocker key from the Windows repository on a different machine, I typed it and then it asked me for my Microsoft account login. You guessed it, the correct password was deemed to be incorrect. Finally, I used the nuclear option to do a full reset (remove everything) to get my machine back. After the lengthy reinstallation, I tested logging with just my Microsoft account password and it worked fine. The only thing I could think of was I had changed my Microsoft password a few months ago and the Surface Book must have been looking for the old password?
     
  2. z110110

    z110110 MDL Junior Member

    Apr 15, 2017
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    My habit is to use Administrator account without mail account.
    I am PC...
     
  3. pcnavarra

    pcnavarra MDL Senior Member

    Nov 13, 2017
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    For the first part off what you are describing it happens when you remove the device in you´re ms account.

    Glad that you have sorted it all out.
     
  4. PointZero

    PointZero MDL Member

    Oct 5, 2011
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    Nice to see Arizona in your avatar. :) From a fellow Zonie, welcome to MDL / congrats for first post!
     
  5. markbyrn

    markbyrn MDL Novice

    Apr 29, 2010
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    Thanks, I joined the forum in 2010; just 8 years to make my first post :D