Help! I forgot my PIN and I can't sign in


@FreeBooter
Thanks for all of help so far, I really appreciate it! For some reason, I can't any of these solutions to work. I start out great and then come the blocks. In your latest one, I got stuck on renaming the SAM key. The error says that it's being used by another proces.
Does that mean I'm still online?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
Maybe you'll remember it :-)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
It might be easier to just do a fresh install.
What about your backup? Why not revert to that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
    Motherboard
    ASUS Crosshair Viii Hero Wi Fi
    Memory
    32 Gb DDR4 3600MHz GSkill
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia Geforce 950
    Sound Card
    USB Out NAD M51 DAC with Adams A8 powered speakers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Black SSD SN770 1TB
    Samsung EVO SSD 970 1TB
    PSU
    Fractal Design 1000W
    Case
    CoolerMaster ATCS 840
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12S Chromax
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman V2
    Mouse
    Razer Viper Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    Starlink 94Mbps down 20Mbps up
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET
@Hazel123

Yes, I could. I've remembered PINs by trial and error before!
Your idea of a solution was way out there btw. Were you serious with that? I don't want
ruffle your feathers if you were truly serious, I just thought it was a bit bizarre.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
What's bizarre about it? Just copy the files off the hard drive and reinstall windows, wiping the drive :-) There are other ways of getting the files off, but the way I suggested is one way. But it does mean buying an external hard drive enclosure. I've had to do it myself, with a laptop that wouldn't turn on.

Another way could be to just put a different drive in. And reinstall Windows. Your files will all be on the old drive (but to access them it still needs to be put in a hard drive enclosure and read on a working computer).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
You know what Hazel? You're right, there really isn't anything bizarre about it. I must've been thinking of something else while reading your post. That's odd. Anyway, thanks for contributing to the cause!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
PIN really works if you have "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended)" turned on in Settings, accounts - sign in options.

As for getting data off the drive connecting to another PC you'll need the Bitlocker key if the drive was encrypted.
Good luck.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home & Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U
    Motherboard
    M1605YA
    Memory
    15.0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1596MHz (22-22-22-52)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon Graphics (ASUStek Computer Inc)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1200@60Hz) - P1 PLUS (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    953GB Western Digital WD
    PSU
    45 Watts
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth.
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
@Hazel123

Yes, I could. I've remembered PINs by trial and error before!
Your idea of a solution was way out there btw. Were you serious with that? I don't want
ruffle your feathers if you were truly serious, I just thought it was a bit bizarre.
No you didn't ruffle feathers at all :-) When I read back, I had put "Can it actually be reset from login" as a question to others on here, which wasn't clear - so yes it did break up what I was saying to you.

But the answer is - yes I think you can reset the computer from the login screen without logging in (I think). I'm sure someone else will explain how if you want to go that option. The rest of my post was about how to get the files off the drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
And to answer the question of why don't I just
reset the computer and be done with it ? The biggest reason is that most of what's on it is some pretty important stuff to me. And I'd rather not think of the possibility of losing alĺ of it. I gotta be positive right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
@FreeBooter
Thanks for all of help so far, I really appreciate it! For some reason, I can't any of these solutions to work. I start out great and then come the blocks. In your latest one, I got stuck on renaming the SAM key. The error says that it's being used by another proces.
Does that mean I'm still online?
Make sure you are mounting correct SAM on C: Windows 11 partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
If you have tried any of the previously good suggested solutions and they did not work for you then
Remove the SSD/HDD and attach it to another computer via a USB Adapter.
Don't have another computer you say? Get another SSD/HDD and put it into troubled computer and install Windows, connect old drive via USB adapter to copy files over.

Or If you have an external USB HDD, you can burn a Linux distro to a USB Flash drive, and boot the troubled computer with it.
You can choose to Try Linux and use that OS to Browse your C: drive. Copy any files you want to the External USB HDD.

Once you are safely backed up, unplug the USB HDD and the Linux USB Flash drive. Insert the Windows installer and boot the USB Flash drive and
choose your Language, Choose Install Now and then Custom Install.
In Where Do You Want to Install Windows,
Delete ALL partitions and press Next.
To do a Clean Install of Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5670
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
    PSU
    850w PSU
    Case
    Cyberpower PC
    Cooling
    Water cooled
    Keyboard
    Backlit Cyberpower gamiong keyboard
    Mouse
    Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    1 GB mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
es I think you can reset the computer from the login screen without logging in
You can't that I'm aware of. You enter recovery environment at boot as described in post #8 to perform a reset

You will need to do a reset and remove everything. Keep my files option won't solve the issue as it keeps your user account.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4652
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26100.4061
This thread is a good argument for using BitLocker.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASUS AMD x670E ROG Strix E-A
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 3060 Ti (but wanting to upgrade)
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24"
    Cooling
    AIO for CPU, fans for case
    Keyboard
    Das Keyboard 4
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 (white)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
If you have tried any of the previously good suggested solutions and they did not work for you then
Remove the SSD/HDD and attach it to another computer via a USB Adapter.
Don't have another computer you say? Get another SSD/HDD and put it into troubled computer and install Windows, connect old drive via USB adapter to copy files over.

Or If you have an external USB HDD, you can burn a Linux distro to a USB Flash drive, and boot the troubled computer with it.
You can choose to Try Linux and use that OS to Browse your C: drive. Copy any files you want to the External USB HDD.

Once you are safely backed up, unplug the USB HDD and the Linux USB Flash drive. Insert the Windows installer and boot the USB Flash drive and
choose your Language, Choose Install Now and then Custom Install.
In Where Do You Want to Install Windows,
Delete ALL partitions and press Next.
To do a Clean Install of Windows.
I suggested he did that as well but you explained it better :-)

@FatDragon4003

1) Save/copy all your files from your drive as above (you need another/new nvme drive/ssd and an external drive case - IMO the simplest option is buy an external drive case, take the old drive out of the computer, put the new drive in the computer. Put the old drive in the external enclosure.
2) Reinstall Windows on the new drive and set it all up.
3) Plug the usb hard drive enclosure into the computer and, within your new windows install, "read" the old drive and copy your files off it onto the computer.
4) This old drive in the hard drive enclosure can now be used as a back up drive, which is useful. Once you've copied all your files back on the computer, format the old drive in the usb enclosure to ntfs and just use it for future backups (you can copy all your files back onto it and you can also use it to make a SYSTEM IMAGE of your new set up. So if you ever need to start again in future, you just reinstall the system image.

If you don't want to take the back off and/or swap the drives over, then the other method suggested above is use a live linux usb - for that though you need another computer to download and make the linux usb (and likewise if installing windows onto a new drive you'd need to make the usb on another computer).

A reset is the easy way to reinstall but then you won't have your files saved. If it's really impossible to have access to another computer - or use a friend's laptop, then some Linux distros will let you buy a ready made usb stick.


To boot that, you just put it in the computer, hit the escape button repeatedly until an options menu comes up, choose boot drive options, select the usb listed. A menu will come up offering to run it "live" or install it. You don't want to install it, or that will wipe all your files (and Windows) - you select run it live. What this does is let you use the linux without installing it - and from there you can see all your files on the Windows install. You will still need another external drive to copy all your files onto from windows.

Whichever method you use you're going to need an external usb drive to copy the files onto.

But if you want to reinstall windows from usb you need it downloaded on someone else's computer, to make the usb stick.


So to buy - for each option:

Either

a) a new nvme/ssd for the computer, an external hard drive enclosure (linked some below), a spare usb stick less than 32gb to put Windows on, use of someone's computer to download windows and make the usb stick.

Crucial NVME drive 500gb £45

Integral 250gb NVME £24.95

NVME external enclosure

Or

b) buy a linux usb stick to run live, buy an external hard drive back up to copy files onto. Reset computer (possibly cheaper option and no need to borrow a computer).

Linux usb as linked above £20

Seagate external hard drive 1tb £52.99

You can then use the external hard drive for backups/images once you've reinstalled

If you're looking for a longer term, secure option - I now use idrive, which backs up all files into the cloud daily and if you ever need them, you just download them again (not the same as one drive - idrive is purely a completely backup of all files that is accessible online and can be downloaded again). But that costs £99 a year. However it means you always have a back up even if an external hard drive fails.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd

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