Cannot "allow this app to make changes to your device" as it won't accept my login details

Question

I had to reload Windows due to a Bitlocker issue. After the computer was wiped and Windows re-loaded, my Microsoft account has been acting up. I cannot download certain new programs, my time zone was stuck in the wrong time, and every time the window pops up "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", it does not accept my login details to say yes. What is happening? And how do I fix this?

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer Muller,

Thank you for reaching out and for sharing these details.

Based on the symptoms you described, it’s possible that the Windows reload did not fully rebuild the system’s administrator and security permissions. When that happens, Windows may still allow you to sign in, but it can fail to correctly validate your account when administrator approval is required. This commonly shows up as the “Allow this app to make changes to your device” prompt rejecting valid login details and can also affect app installations and system settings such as the time zone.

To help isolate the issue, I recommend trying with these additional steps:

Step 1: Test with a new local administrator user

This will help determine whether the issue is limited to the current user profile or affects the system more broadly.

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Accounts > Other users
3. Select Add account
4. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign‑in information
5. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account
6. Create a new local user name and password
7. Once the account is created, select it and choose Change account type
8. Set the account type to Administrator
9. Sign out and then sign in using this new account

After signing in, please check whether:

• You can approve the “Allow this app to make changes” prompt
• You are able to install applications normally
• The time zone setting can be changed without errors

If everything works correctly in the new account, this would indicate that the original user profile is corrupted, and your files can be transferred to the new profile safely.

Step 2: Reset Windows (keep your files)

If the same issue occurs even in the new administrator account, the most reliable solution is to reset Windows while keeping your personal files. This process rebuilds the system’s internal security and administrator permissions, which typically resolves this type of issue.

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System > Recovery
3. Under Reset this PC, select Reset PC
4. Choose Keep my files
5. Follow the on‑screen instructions to complete the reset

This will remove installed applications, but your personal files will remain intact. After the reset, Windows will recreate administrator rights correctly during setup.

I understand that resetting a system can feel disruptive, but in situations like this it is often the quickest and most effective way to restore normal functionality and prevent ongoing permission issues.

Please let me know how it goes and I’ll be happy to guide you through the next steps or assist further as needed.

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Answer 2

The behavior indicates an issue with the account credentials Windows is using for elevation (User Account Control/UAC) after the reinstall. The elevation prompt “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” is asking for a local administrator account, which may not match the Microsoft account or password being entered.

Use these steps to get back in control of the device and fix sign‑in problems:

1. Verify Windows sign‑in works
   • On the sign‑in screen, confirm that the correct account is selected and that the password or PIN works.
   • If the password or PIN is not accepted, use the appropriate recovery path:
     • For a Microsoft account password issue, use Forgot your Microsoft account password: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37
     • For a Windows PIN issue, use Forgot your PIN: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-or-reset-your-pin-in-windows-a386c519-3ab2-b873-1e9b-bb228a98b904
     • For general Windows sign‑in problems, follow Change or reset your Windows password and related steps in Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows.
2. Confirm which account is the local administrator
   • Sign in to Windows.
   • Open Settings → Accounts → Your info and check whether the current account is listed as Administrator.
   • If not, sign in with the account that is an administrator (if available) and use it when the UAC prompt appears.
3. Use Microsoft’s sign‑in helper if account issues persist
   • If there is still trouble signing into the Microsoft account (for Store apps, time sync, etc.), run the Sign-in helper mentioned in Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows to diagnose and correct account problems.
4. If completely locked out of elevation
   • If no credentials are accepted at the UAC prompt and there is no working administrator account, the situation is similar to the cases where users had to reinstall Windows to regain control. In that case, backing up data and performing another clean install may be required, as seen in the examples where issues were only resolved by a clean reinstall.
5. After restoring proper sign‑in
   • Re‑add the Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts.
   • Reconfigure time zone and region in Settings → Time & language.
   • Retry installing apps; the UAC prompt should now accept the administrator credentials.

If none of the above resolves the issue and administrator access is still not possible, contacting Microsoft support directly is recommended using the I need to talk to a customer support agent option.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
• My username and password have stopped working
• Unable to log in to Dell Rugged Laptop - Microsoft Q&A
• AppInstall - Microsoft Q&A
• Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? - Microsoft Q&A