locked out of PC. It wants a password I can't remember.

[inheritancetrack]

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So a few years ago I updated my PC to a gaming one for the SSD, speed, etc and to use photoshop, which is heavy on memory etc.

My old (not very old) lenovo thinkpad I wiped all but the win 10 operating system thinking i would sell it. I didn't as I'm scared of hard drive risks although there is nothing much on the PC.

So I thought I would set it up as a separate system to store photos and photoshop projects on as they take up a lot of space.

So I have it all set up but it wants a password. I've tried all the usual ones I use, and put in the security question, but it won't accept them.

What can I do???

Can you wipe it entirely and reinstall the operating system? If there's nothing you'd want to keep on it, that might be easiest.

@MumInBrussels

Can you wipe it entirely and reinstall the operating system? If there's nothing you'd want to keep on it, that might be easiest.

i dont have anything to install the operating system with. when i wiped it i kept windows 10

ive gone into security and done what it said about resetting admin password but its not helped

So is it looking like a Windows 10 start up screen asking you for a username and password?

@cakeorwine

So is it looking like a Windows 10 start up screen asking you for a username and password?

just a password.

So has it got a username on there?

Did you have a local admin account or did you use a Microsoft account to logon?

@cakeorwine

So has it got a username on there?

Did you have a local admin account or did you use a Microsoft account to logon?

no username. I have no idea, it was 3 years ago. i have been into the Security tab by pressing F1, but the only option to set up and administrator password and a power on password. I did both, and got back to that screen but the restart just asked again for a password. I put in the new passwords when asked then went to security to delete them. they are totally separate from the password it keeps asking for. ill send a pic

bloody ipad batter is flat

If you press 'Shift' , hold it down and then press 'restart' on the logon screen, that should restart the laptop and bring it into recovery mode.

At that point, you can do a factory reset. Which is a bit drastic. But it should work.

post wont load.

security tab says not installed
power on password not installed
set adminstrator password
set power on password
secure boot

ignore security tab says not installed

Have you tried known passwords but making the first letter of the password a capital letter?

Similar happened to my daughter ages ago and my son suggested that the password may be caps sensitive.

@cakeorwine

If you press 'Shift' , hold it down and then press 'restart' on the logon screen, that should restart the laptop and bring it into recovery mode.

At that point, you can do a factory reset. Which is a bit drastic. But it should work.

i'll give that a go

i'm sure i did this when i wanted to sell it, so i've no idea why it wants a password

trying the get rid of my files option rather than the wipe everything as I've no way of reinstalling an operating system.

Passwords are normally case sensitive.

Make sure you don’t have ‘Caps Lock’ on by mistake. That is my typical issue with passwords

that will take hours so I'll go for a shower, but thank you x

if it doesn't work I'll call the local computer place for advice.

I've done it. Phew!

Enjoy your laptop!