Solved Idiot user needs help with Windows 11 defaultuser0 password

JustSomeguy · Jan 27, 2024

I bought a new HP Windows 11 laptop a couple days ago and went through the setup procedure and got it working. Going through the startup dialog I set a system password.

I then messed something up and did a system recovery. The system recovery appeared to go without error.

Everything seems to work well except that there is no login password or pin. When I try to configure a login password or pin Windows insists that I enter the password for defaultuser0. I have tried providing the password that I set up (see first paragraph, above), but Windows does not recognize that as the correct password. I do not recall every configuring a password specifically for defaultuser0 at any time and the 'Change your password' screen does not offer a 'forgot my password option'.

Is there a way to reset the defaultuser0 password, or should I return this and re-order a brand new laptop so that I can get past this issue?

Thanks for any advice!

glasskuter · Jan 27, 2024

When in recovery, did you choose reset and remove everything option. That's the only option that will get rid of all user accounts, reinstall WIndows, and put you into oobe so you can create another account.

Ghot · Jan 27, 2024

JustSomeguy said:
I bought a new HP Windows 11 laptop a couple days ago and went through the setup procedure and got it working. Going through the startup dialog I set a system password.

I then messed something up and did a system recovery. The system recovery appeared to go without error.

Everything seems to work well except that there is no login password or pin. When I try to configure a login password or pin Windows insists that I enter the password for defaultuser0. I have tried providing the password that I set up (see first paragraph, above), but Windows does not recognize that as the correct password. I do not recall every configuring a password specifically for defaultuser0 at any time and the 'Change your password' screen does not offer a 'forgot my password option'.

Is there a way to reset the defaultuser0 password, or should I return this and re-order a brand new laptop so that I can get past this issue?

Thanks for any advice!

Method 1 or Method 3 might work...

How to Fix Defaultuser0 Password Issue on Windows 10 - MiniTool Partition Wizard

This post shows you how to fix defaultuser0 password issue on Windows 10. The way to fix it is easy. Let’s have a look!

www.partitionwizard.com

Try method 3 here...

How to remove Defaultuser0 password on Windows 11/10

What is the password of Defaultuser0 user account? How do you reset or remove it? This post offers sure-shot soltions to fix the issue.

www.thewindowsclub.com

trumpy81 · Jan 27, 2024

The defaultuser0 account will sometimes raise it's head when you install Windows with a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

Normally, that account would be labelled Default, why that is not always the case, I have no idea ... lol

Follow the instructions given in one of the links that @Ghot supplied, that should get you out of trouble.

Try3 · Jan 28, 2024

You did not create the defaultuser0 account. HP did.
It is supposed to be deleted before you get the computer but sometimes slips through.
[It has nothing to do with the Default account. Windows creates the Default account as a tool to use during the creation of new user accounts. HP created the defaultuser0 account.]

You created a user account of your own when you first booted the computer and you chose both its username & its password.
That is the user account you should be using.
[Personally, I always create two password-protected Admin local user accounts as well to use as fallbacks in case of problems.]

You can delete the defaultuser0.
- It is of no use to you.
- It contains no data.
- There are no side effects from deleting it.
Delete User Account - ElevenForumTutorials

All the best,
Denis

JustSomeguy · Jan 28, 2024

glasskuter said:
When in recovery, did you choose reset and remove everything option. That's the only option that will get rid of all user accounts, reinstall WIndows, and put you into oobe so you can create another account.

Thanks very much for the reply.

No, I did not use the 'remove everything' option, and I can now see that was my mistake.

Until I can solve the defaultuser0 issue, it does not seem to be possible to redo the recovery operation, since I'm now stuck at the Windows login screen.

JustSomeguy · Jan 28, 2024

Ghot said:
Method 1 or Method 3 might work...

How to Fix Defaultuser0 Password Issue on Windows 10 - MiniTool Partition Wizard

This post shows you how to fix defaultuser0 password issue on Windows 10. The way to fix it is easy. Let’s have a look!

www.partitionwizard.com

Try method 3 here...

How to remove Defaultuser0 password on Windows 11/10

What is the password of Defaultuser0 user account? How do you reset or remove it? This post offers sure-shot soltions to fix the issue.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Ghot, thanks for the reply.

I read Method 1, and I'm trying it now.

JustSomeguy · Jan 28, 2024

trumpy81 said:
The defaultuser0 account will sometimes raise it's head when you install Windows with a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

Normally, that account would be labelled Default, why that is not always the case, I have no idea ... lol

Follow the instructions given in one of the links that @Ghot supplied, that should get you out of trouble.

Thanks for the reply, trumpy81.

JustSomeguy · Jan 28, 2024

Try3 said:
You did not create the defaultuser0 account. HP did.
It is supposed to be deleted before you get the computer but sometimes slips through.
[It has nothing to do with the Default account. Windows creates the Default account as a tool to use during the creation of new user accounts. HP created the defaultuser0 account.]

You created a user account of your own when you first booted the computer and you chose both its username & its password.
That is the user account you should be using.
[Personally, I always create two password-protected Admin local user accounts as well to use as fallbacks in case of problems.]

You can delete the defaultuser0.
- It is of no use to you.
- It contains no data.
- There are no side effects from deleting it.
Delete User Account - ElevenForumTutorials

All the best,
Denis

Thanks for the reply and explanation, Denis.

Ghot · Jan 28, 2024

JustSomeguy said:
Ghot, thanks for the reply.

I read Method 1, and I'm trying it now.

I'm guessing that Method #3 is gonna be the one that works.

BobOmb · Jan 28, 2024

Try3 said:
You did not create the defaultuser0 account. HP did.

I was under the impression OOBE temporarily creates this user for all installations, just that we never see it because it's removed after a user account is created.

Try3 · Jan 28, 2024

JustSomeguy said:
I'm now stuck at the Windows login screen

What has happened to the user account you created when you first booted the computer?

Denis

JustSomeguy · Jan 28, 2024

Try3 said:
What has happened to the user account you created when you first booted the computer?

Denis

I have no idea.

FreeBooter · Jan 28, 2024

In this guide, you’re going to learn how to reset a forgotten local user login password on any Windows computer using Kali Linux.

TechnoMage2021 · Jan 28, 2024

For years, I've had one fix or another for any new PC that has gotten messed up.

But one thing remains: Windows as it comes first from MS and then from the PC manufacturer, is loaded with Bloatware, stipulations, and just a lot of stuff designed to tie you to Mother Microsoft's apron strings.

Give me a brand new PC, laptop or desktop, and I'll dig out my USB Flash Drive, with the latest After Market Windows on it, and do a CLEAN Install.

Today, my favorite OS is Windows "Micro 11", Pro/64. It's small, it's fast, and it has ZERO MS BS. And, best of all, it doesn't come from Microsoft.
I just installed that OS on to an HP Envy Sleekbook, that came to me as an inoperative shell. It had no HD, only 4GB of ram, and a dead main battery and CMOS Battery.
Now, with new batteries, a new Crucial 120GB SSD, and "Micro 11" installed, it's a great running little PC.
My total investment in this little laptop, is less than $100. (NO licenses, keys or passwords)

Cheers Mates,
TM

Winuser · Jan 28, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
For years, I've had one fix or another for any new PC that has gotten messed up.

But one thing remains: Windows as it comes first from MS and then from the PC manufacturer, is loaded with Bloatware, stipulations, and just a lot of stuff designed to tie you to Mother Microsoft's apron strings.

Give me a brand new PC, laptop or desktop, and I'll dig out my USB Flash Drive, with the latest After Market Windows on it, and do a CLEAN Install.

Today, my favorite OS is Windows "Micro 11", Pro/64. It's small, it's fast, and it has ZERO MS BS. And, best of all, it doesn't come from Microsoft.
I just installed that OS on to an HP Envy Sleekbook, that came to me as an inoperative shell. It had no HD, only 4GB of ram, and a dead main battery and CMOS Battery.
Now, with new batteries, a new Crucial 120GB SSD, and "Micro 11" installed, it's a great running little PC.
My total investment in this little laptop, is less than $100. (NO licenses, keys or passwords)

Cheers Mates,
TM

I just have to ask. How is that helpful to the OP?

Try3 · Jan 29, 2024

JustSomeguy said:
I have no idea.

Please run this command in any Terminal window and post the results.
net user
It produces a list of all user accounts [including ones that are only used by Windows itself so don't be worried by the entries in there. I can explain every single entry if you want me to].
Open Windows Terminal - ElevenForumTutorials
I urge you to take no other action yet.

Denis

The Pool Man · Jan 29, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
For years, I've had one fix or another for any new PC that has gotten messed up.

But one thing remains: Windows as it comes first from MS and then from the PC manufacturer, is loaded with Bloatware, stipulations, and just a lot of stuff designed to tie you to Mother Microsoft's apron strings.

Give me a brand new PC, laptop or desktop, and I'll dig out my USB Flash Drive, with the latest After Market Windows on it, and do a CLEAN Install.

Today, my favorite OS is Windows "Micro 11", Pro/64. It's small, it's fast, and it has ZERO MS BS. And, best of all, it doesn't come from Microsoft.
I just installed that OS on to an HP Envy Sleekbook, that came to me as an inoperative shell. It had no HD, only 4GB of ram, and a dead main battery and CMOS Battery.
Now, with new batteries, a new Crucial 120GB SSD, and "Micro 11" installed, it's a great running little PC.
My total investment in this little laptop, is less than $100. (NO licenses, keys or passwords)

Cheers Mates,
TM

SPAM CITY. However it's an interesting topic. Create a thread for it.

JustSomeguy · Jan 29, 2024

Hi All.

I got things working using ghot's Method 2 plus logging into Microsoft during the 'startup dialog' rather than doing 'I'll log into Microsoft later'.

Thanks to all of you for the great help. I'll mark the thread solved.