Locked out of Surface Pro: Invalid Password

Question

I was an early participant in the Window Insider program using a standalone Surface Pro (1st generation).  For various reasons I discontinued involvement for a year or more but would now like to participate again and restart using the original Surface Pro that I had used.

The Surface Pro boots up and presents a logon screen, however I'm unable to get logged on to the device.  The Microsoft account password I'm attempting to use isn't recognized and the account is the only account configured on the device.

I've reset the account password via account.live/com/password/reset but still unable to get logged on to the Surface Pro, continue to receive a invalid password error.  What are my options?

I unfortunately never created a recovery disk.

The Surface Pro originally had Windows 8 installed on it, was upgraded to Window 8.1 and subsequently to Windows 10 before I joined the Windows Insider Program and started installing Window Insider Release Candidate updates.

I do have a 2nd Surface Pro 2 running Windows 10 and other computers that are running Window 10 that I could use to create Recovery disks and or Windows 10 media if necessary.

.

Answer 1

You should have a digital license for W10 if you previously had it installed. Go
to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and select
upgrade now. When it finishes, it should be activated when you connect to the
Internet, then make sure you check for updates until no more are available. Then
you can join Insiders from the Settings app.

Answer 2

Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage   (with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly)  and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB or 32GB USB
stick formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).  Best to purchase and use a new,
previously unused USB stick for this. Use FULL format and not quick format and
give the volume a name like surfboot. Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root
of the formatted USB stick and then-

To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:
Step 1:    Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in (hold down the power
button for 30 seconds).
Step 2:     Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.
Step 3:    Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the
power button on your Surface.
Step 4:     When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.
Step 5:    When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
Step 6:     Select Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.
If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of thescreen.
Step 7:     Select the target operating system you wish to reset. This
refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.
Step 8:    Select Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, select Next.
Step 9:     Choose Just remove my files.
Step 10:    Select Reset.
Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process continues
(this can take a while).

There are full instructions and a video at
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023512/surface-creating-and-using-a-usb-recovery-drive#download

Set up as a local account first, then make sure you can log into your Microsoft
account through a browser, then switch to your Microsoft account.

Answer 3

Thanks! Will give this procedure a try and provide another update when complete.

Answer 4

Thanks for your help!

This is good news and not so good news update.

First the good news, went through the recovery procedure and I'm able to logon to the Surface Pro again. 

The not so good news, ended up with Window 8 (not Windows 8.1 or the desired Windows 10) installed on the Surface Pro.  I did follow the procedure provided.

So my question is this, how do I now get Windows 10 reinstalled on the Surface Pro without incurring a license upgrade cost?

I would like to get reenrolled in the Windows Insider Upgrade Program.

Thanks

Answer 5

Barb,

Thanks for your help!

I've been able to download and install Windows 10 Pro, install multiple updates and reenroll in the Windows Insider Beta channel.