I have a desktop modeum , big box sits on floor, that has windows 8.

Question

I haven't used this for a couple years or so. The password I had to get inside shows not to be any good but it won't provide me a place to change password. How do I get into it? I sign on to it with email address and password. I changed password in Microsoft as some on the internet instructed but it still will not let me in. Still says invalid password..........................How do I get into it ?

Answer 1

Because the device signs in with an email address, it is using a Microsoft account. Changing the Microsoft account password online was the correct first step; now the sign-in on the Windows 8 PC must be aligned with that account.

Use these steps and checks:

1. Confirm the Microsoft account password works online
   • On another device (phone or another PC), go to the Microsoft account sign-in page and sign in with the same email address and password used on the Windows 8 PC.
   • If sign-in fails there too, reset the password again using Forgot password? and complete the verification steps as described in Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password. Then try that new password on the Windows 8 PC.
2. Make sure the correct Microsoft account is used
   • At the Windows sign-in screen, confirm the email address shown matches exactly (spelling and domain, such as .com vs .co.uk) the account that was just reset, as described in My username and password have stopped working.
   • If the username is wrong, select the correct account if it appears, or choose to sign in with a different account and enter the correct email and password.
3. If sign-in still fails with the correct password
   • If the online account works but the PC still says “invalid password,” use the I forgot my password link on the Windows sign-in screen if it appears, as described in User Account Access in Windows. This will guide through resetting credentials from the sign-in screen.
4. If the account is blocked or repeatedly rejected
   • If messages appear about too many incorrect attempts or the account being blocked, follow the guidance in My username and password have stopped working to recover or unblock the Microsoft account using the Recover your account process.
5. If none of the above works and no other admin account exists
   • If the Microsoft account password works online but the PC still cannot be accessed and there is no other administrator account on the machine, the remaining supported option is to reset the Windows device, which will reinstall Windows and remove installed apps and local data, as noted in Change or reset a local account password from another account.

Because this is an older Windows 8 device that has not been used for years, ensure the correct Microsoft account and a freshly reset password are used first before considering a full PC reset.

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References:

• Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password
• My username and password have stopped working
• User Account Access in Windows
• Change or reset your password in Windows