Pin unavailable and Microsoft Password doesn't work

Question

Pin unavailable and Microsoft Password doesn't work

Shai Libovsky 0

Hi,

I usually log in to my windows with a pin, yesterday I tried that and it said something happened and the pin option is no longer available and it doesn't let me set up a pin or when I enter the pin is says error 0x8007139f.

So I understand I need to log in some other way to enable pin again, while I don't remember my windows account password and I do know my Microsoft account password, and password or Phone or email is not correct.

To make sure I got the correct password, I log in to my Microsoft account(outlook account) on my cellphone and change password there and something is still incorrect.

Please give me some options here - I am really desperate.

Can I install windows 11(currently I have windows 10) without logging in?

Can I enter a different Microsoft account to enable the pin?

Thank you,

Shai

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Clary-N 8,920 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Shai Libovsky,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I know this is frustrating when your PIN isn’t working and Windows isn’t accepting the updated password yet.

One important thing to be aware of first: if you recently changed your Microsoft account password, Windows doesn’t always accept the new password right away. Your device keeps a secure local copy of your sign‑in credentials, and it needs time (and an internet connection) to sync the new password. During this window, Windows may still only accept the previous password or show errors like “PIN unavailable” or “device is offline.” That doesn’t mean the password reset failed.

In some cases, credential sync can take a little time. If it doesn’t work right away, try again after a restart or within the next hour.

If you still can’t get in with a password, the next step is to use Windows Recovery, which is designed for situations like this and does not delete your files. From the sign‑in screen, select Power, hold Shift, and choose Restart. When the recovery menu appears, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options and run Startup Repair. If Startup Repair doesn’t help, try System Restore and select a restore point from before the issue started. These tools repair the sign‑in system itself and often resolve PIN and account errors.

If recovery doesn’t restore access, Windows offers a Reset this PC option that keeps your personal files. From the same recovery menu, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files. This removes apps and resets system settings, but your documents and photos remain. After the reset, you’ll be able to sign in again and set up your account cleanly.

As a last resort, a clean reinstall of Windows will always restore access. During setup, you can create a local (offline) account instead of signing in with a Microsoft account. Once Windows is running normally, you can add your Microsoft account back later. If BitLocker encryption is enabled, Windows may ask for a recovery key, which is usually stored in your Microsoft account online.

If you see a specific message during any of these steps (for example about BitLocker, being offline, or password not accepted), let me know exactly what it says and I’ll guide you through the safest next move.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-27T08:06:34.87+00:00

Hi Shai Libovsky,

May I know if you have got any chance to check my answer?

I am glad to help if you have any other questions.
Shai Libovsky 0 Reputation points

2026-03-02T08:37:39.05+00:00

Hi Clary,

I was very hopeful with the suggestions you offered, sadly all of them required my microsoft account password, which for some reason says the ones I typed down are incorrect - even after I changed it.

Now I don't understand to the discrepancies between the passwords, it seems I have two microsoft accounts with same email or there is two different passwords to the same account - 1 to the microsoft account and 1 to the outlook account.

Any other suggestions you can offer me?

Thank you for your help
Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-03T15:13:48.35+00:00
Hi Shai Libovsky,

I’m really sorry to hear you’re still stuck after trying all of those options.

For a personal Microsoft account, there is only one password. Your Microsoft account and your Outlook.com email use the same password. Changing it in one place changes it everywhere.

What can make it look like there are two accounts is when:

You have more than one Microsoft account (for example, a personal account and a work/school account) using the same email address, or

Windows is still trying to sign in with old, cached credentials after a password change.

At this point, since the Microsoft account password is confirmed correct and none of the recovery or repair options are working, this may point to the Windows sign‑in profile itself being corrupted. When that happens, Windows may get stuck in a loop where it won’t accept the password or PIN no matter what you do, even though the account is fine.

The most reliable way forward in this situation is a clean reinstall of Windows. I know that’s not what anyone hopes for, but it’s the safest way to get access back when sign‑in components are no longer recoverable.

**Disclaimer: At this point, we have exhausted all troubleshooting and I recommend that we try to perform a clean install to get your computer back into a working condition. Please ensure that you backup any important data, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, and more.*

Since you’re unable to sign in to back up your files, you still have a couple of safe options to protect your data. You can boot into Windows Recovery or start the PC from a Windows USB and copy your files to an external drive before reinstalling Windows. If that feels uncomfortable or time‑sensitive, bringing the device to a nearby local repair store is also a good option, they can help back up your data before proceeding.

During setup, I strongly recommend creating a local (offline) account first instead of signing in with your Microsoft account right away. This avoids the same sign‑in loop and lets Windows finish setting up cleanly. Once you’re back on the desktop and everything is working normally, you can add your Microsoft account back afterward from Settings.

If BitLocker is enabled on the device, Windows may ask for the BitLocker recovery key during the reinstall. That’s expected, and the key is usually saved in your Microsoft account online.

If you see that prompt or any specific error message during setup, please let me know the exact wording and I’ll guide you through the next step.
Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-04T07:52:34.1133333+00:00

Hi Shai Libovsky,

Have you had a chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
Shai Libovsky 0 Reputation points

2026-03-04T09:25:14.5033333+00:00

Hi Clary,

A clean reinstall or just formatting the drive and installing windows again is the same thing, right?

So I don't gain anything by getting access to the windows that had my files and now it just like a new PC, right?

If I had windows 10 and I do a clean install, I can just do it with windows 11?

How do I get a Windows USB? A local Store might have such USB to help me get my data backed up?

If my Microsoft account shows my computer this way? Can that be the reason why my computer don't recognize my new password?

I apricate your vigilance for helping me - Definitely a next level support
Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-05T08:59:17.3933333+00:00

Hi Shai Libovsky,

Thanks for your question. I’ll try to clarify each point as clearly as possible.

-About clean install vs. formatting the drive: Yes, you’re essentially right. A clean install and formatting the drive both result in Windows being installed fresh. Once the drive is formatted and Windows is reinstalled, the system treats it like a new PC. Unfortunately, that means the previous Windows installation and any files on it are no longer accessible unless they were backed up beforehand or the drive was not wiped.

-About accessing your old files: If Windows has already been reinstalled and the drive was formatted, there isn’t anything additional to gain by trying to access the previous Windows installation. At that point, the system no longer has access to the old data.

-Installing Windows 11 instead of Windows 10: If your device supports Windows 11, you can absolutely install Windows 11 directly, even if it previously had Windows 10. You don’t need to install Windows 10 first. Windows should automatically activate after installation once you sign in with the same Microsoft account that was previously used on the device.

-Creating a Windows USB: You don’t need to buy a Windows USB from a store. Microsoft provides an official tool that lets you create one yourself using another working computer and a USB flash drive (at least 8 GB). This USB is used to install Windows — however, it cannot recover files that were already erased. Some local repair shops may offer data‑recovery services, but whether data can be recovered depends entirely on whether the drive was wiped or encrypted (for example, with BitLocker).

-About your Microsoft account and the device listing: The way the device appears in your Microsoft account (such as “location disabled” or “location unknown”) is normal and would not cause Windows to reject your password. Also, changing your Microsoft account password does not unlock a device that was protected by BitLocker or another local sign‑in method. If the device was encrypted, Windows still requires the original BitLocker recovery key to access the data as the Microsoft account password alone won’t bypass that.

I know this isn’t easy news, especially when personal files are involved. If you’d like, you can let me know whether Windows was already reinstalled or if you’re still at the recovery stage, and I can help you understand what options (if any) are still available.
Shai Libovsky 0 Reputation points

2026-03-05T09:19:42.49+00:00

Hi Clary,

Can you please walk me through the process you mentioned here:

"Since you’re unable to sign in to back up your files, you still have a couple of safe options to protect your data. You can boot into Windows Recovery or start the PC from a Windows USB and copy your files to an external drive before reinstalling Windows. If that feels uncomfortable or time‑sensitive, bringing the device to a nearby local repair store is also a good option, they can help back up your data before proceeding."

If I make a Windows USB as you said, does it install Windows or give me access to my Windows without a password?

And Windows Recovery is also through the options that ask for a password to initiate?

Thank you
Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-06T07:42:06.7033333+00:00

Hi Shai Libovsky,

To set expectations upfront, using a Windows installation USB will not automatically reinstall Windows, remove your password, or bypass security. It’s simply a safe way to access Windows recovery tools so you can copy your files to an external drive before making any changes.

If you have a Windows installation USB and another external USB drive (such as a portable hard drive or large USB stick), you can back up your files without signing into Windows. Start by plugging the Windows USB into the PC and turning it on. When the boot menu appears, select the USB drive. You’ll see the Windows Setup screen so at this point, do not choose Install. Instead, select Repair your computer, then go to Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and open Command Prompt. This opens a recovery environment and doesn’t change anything on your system.

Once the Command Prompt opens, plug in your external drive. After a few seconds, it should be detected automatically. In the Command Prompt window, type notepad and press Enter. When Notepad opens, go to File > Open, then change the file type dropdown to All Files. This gives you a simple file browser where you can access your folders.

Your personal files are usually located under Users > YourUsername, including Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Downloads. From there, you can copy those folders and paste them onto your external drive. Take your time and make sure everything important is copied over.

If your drive is protected with BitLocker, Windows may ask for a BitLocker recovery key before allowing access to your files. This is expected and is part of Windows’ security design, it’s not a fault with the device. If you have that recovery key, you can enter it and continue backing up your data.

If you don’t have a Windows USB, the system may still boot into Windows Recovery automatically after a few failed startup attempts. The options are similar, but some actions may prompt for your account password or BitLocker key, depending on how the device is secured.

If at any point this feels uncomfortable, especially if you’re concerned about handling sensitive data, it’s completely reasonable to take the device to a reputable local repair shop and ask them to back up your files before reinstalling Windows. Many people choose this option for peace of mind.
Please feel free to let me know if you still have any other questions. I'm here to assist.
Clary-N 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-07T08:16:07.5166667+00:00

Hi Shai Libovsky,

Please let me know if there is anything I can help by leaving your comment down here.

Answer 2

To address the issue with your PIN being unavailable and the error code 0x8007139f, you can try the following steps:

Use an Alternate Sign-In Method: Since you are unable to use your PIN and do not remember your Windows account password, you can try to log in using your Microsoft account password. Make sure you are entering the correct Microsoft account credentials that are linked to your Windows account.
Reset Your Microsoft Account Password: If you are having trouble logging in with your Microsoft account password, you can reset it again through the Microsoft account recovery process. Ensure that you have access to the recovery email or phone number associated with your Microsoft account.
Access Safe Mode: If you can log in using your Microsoft account, you can try accessing Safe Mode to troubleshoot the PIN issue. In Safe Mode, you might be able to reset your PIN or access settings that are otherwise unavailable.
Enable the Built-In Administrator Account: If you can access the Command Prompt through recovery options, you can enable the built-in Administrator account, which may allow you to log in without a PIN or password. This can be done by loading the registry hive and modifying the necessary settings as described in the context.
Consider a Windows Reinstallation: If you cannot resolve the issue and are considering installing Windows 11, you will need to create a bootable USB drive to perform the installation. However, this process typically requires you to back up your data, and you might lose files if you do not have access to your account.
Using a Different Microsoft Account: You cannot switch to a different Microsoft account to enable the PIN on your current Windows installation. The PIN is tied to the specific user account on that device.

If these steps do not resolve your issue, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

References:

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Pin unavailable and Microsoft Password doesn't work

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