Windows 10 password issue| Off-Topic Discussion forum |

former520 Reader
9/30/15 5:56 p.m.

So my little girls laptop became my experiment platform for the windows 10 upgrade. Upgrade took worked ok, then I had to reboot after some of the updates.

Computer is now asking for a username and password that we don't have. It doesn't have the option to log in as a guest or another person. Daughter (7) had one on a long time ago, that was removed to avoid this exact issue. No idea what it was.

Any ideas how to get around this?

Grtechguy UltimaDork
9/30/15 5:59 p.m.

Usually starting the computer while tapping F8 will give you the option for safe mode.

Try that

1988RedT2 PowerDork
9/30/15 6:12 p.m.

I'm sure MS will contact you shortly with specific instructions on how much ransom money they want and how and when to make the drop.

GameboyRMH MegaDork
9/30/15 6:19 p.m.

I was gonna recommend the ntpasswd boot disk, but it looks like it only works up to Windows 8.1...

Bruce MegaDork
9/30/15 6:20 p.m.

Wipe it and reinstall time.

former520 Reader
9/30/15 6:24 p.m.

I have tried getting to a safe mode, so far unsuccessful. I can't get far enough o wipe it. I took out the hard drive and put it in a case, I was going to format and re-install from scratch, but it locked me out with not enough permission to do so.

The other option I have been looking at was a new hard drive, but it is not a great lap top and a $50 hard drive would double its value.

Bruce MegaDork
9/30/15 7:12 p.m.

Download a Linux DVD image, load on DVD or USB stick, boot laptop to Linux, wipe out hard drive.

Windows is being stupid, get Winblows out of the way.

Mike Dork
9/30/15 8:35 p.m.

Right below the password box, are there two or more small, unlabeled buttons with grey icons? If you've set up more than one type of account authentication method, you would toggle through the other options here.

Is the account a Windows account or a Microsoft/Hotmail/Outlook.com/Live online account? If the latter, you can reset the password online. If the former, you may have a hint configured.

1988RedT2 PowerDork
10/1/15 9:25 a.m.

Bruce wrote: Download a Linux DVD image, load on DVD or USB stick, boot laptop to Linux, wipe out hard drive. Windows is being stupid, get Winblows out of the way.

It probably bears mentioning that Microsoft, in it's greedy attempt at world domination, has promoted a protocol known as UEFI Secure Boot. There are workarounds, but in all likelihood, if you are using a newer motherboard with UEFI bios, you will have to twiddle with some settings in the bios before the system will boot Linux.

https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/821007-how-to-install-linux-on-a-windows-machine-with-uefi-secure-boot