New PC Win 11 regret

I just bought 2 new HP computers with Windows 11. I can't stand how it constantly asks for usernames, passwords, PIN# and credentials. I can't get anything done. What on Earth are network credentials? I've tried my MS username and password but that doesn't work. I never created credentials when I first setup my new computers.
I have looked for help online but whenI follow the steps I don't arrive at whatever place has options, like boxes to check because the boxes are not threre.
I hope there's a way to turn off all this security nonsense because this is MY PC in my own home so who am I protecting it from?
After onIy 4 daysI am about ready to toss this thing into the trash.

Bill F said:

I just bought 2 new HP computers with Windows 11. I can't stand how it constantly asks for usernames, passwords, PIN# and credentials. I can't get anything done. What on Earth are network credentials? I've tried my MS username and password but that doesn't work. I never created credentials when I first setup my new computers.
I have looked for help online but whenI follow the steps I don't arrive at whatever place has options, like boxes to check because the boxes are not threre.
I hope there's a way to turn off all this security nonsense because this is MY PC in my own home so who am I protecting it from?
After onIy 4 daysI am about ready to toss this thing into the trash.

Click to expand...

Do you reject the idea of a clean install?

Bill F said:

What on Earth are network credentials? I've tried my MS username and password but that doesn't work.

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Network credentials are what you will be asked for if you try to connect to a share on another PC. You need to give the name and password of an account on that other PC in order to connect. This is nothing new for Windows 11, networking has worked the same way in previous versions of Windows.

I got a new Notebook with Win11 Pro in Oct. '21 when Win11 came out. I've despised it so much that I bought a new Desktop in Apr. '22. Then I took possession of a 2019 Desktop for parts plus a 2019 Notebook, got both working just fine. After that much use and having time to experiment, I upgraded 2 Notebook from 2014 that are unsupported, bad part is they work, even getting Patch Tuesday updates.

TIC

Welcome to the forum, Bill
Sorry, you've invested all that money and ended unhappy with your decision. Out of the box Windows 11 does come with a lot of "stuff" many users do not like. However, most of it can be overcome using the hundreds of tutorial our man Brink has written. I suggest you make yourself familiar with the tutorial section that contains hundred of tweaks and fixes for most common issues users have with 11. It's at the top of any forum page and is searchable. It is broken down into categories on the right side of screen. You can also see the entire index here.

Any question you might have we welcome you asking it. It is very important when asking your question to give details of the problem. Adding screenshots are very helpful so we can see what you see.The forum is also searchable so you can find the threads where other users have probably asked the same questions as you have.

Don't get discouraged. It will take some time to get accustomed to 11 and time to get it tweaked to your liking. Once you do, I believe you will see that it is not much different to what you've used before. Most people here really like it once they reach that point. One thing I suggest, as you go along keep record of the tweaks you make. That way anything can be undone if necessary.

I'll try to help you with this credential issue you have. I am assuming from what little you said it is a result of password protected sharing being on.
Go to Settings>Network & Internet>advanced sharing settings>all networks> toggle off password protected sharing

Hi!
You might want to take a look at this tweaking app that one of our members
uses. @Ghot should be able to explain whatever you need to now if you want
to use it. Just read at first and ask questions Before you check any boxes pls.

On PC, does it run MSFT account? or it has local account besides?

In my early time of Windows 11 OS, no local account openned. my PC run into a similar problem often (several times a day). since open my local account, no this problem any more. A good reason for me to setup local account on the PC.

One or more of these links may be useful:

From years of experience, and a lot of it BAD, I already know that any version of Windows that comes pre-installed on a new PC is a real POS! Just Loaded with crap that I don't want, and would never use. And much of it, negatively impacting performance.

If I were given a brand new Windows 11 PC, still in the box, my first official act would be to boot it up with one of my Flash Drives containing a New and Improved version of Windows 11, and perform a CLEAN Install.
Then, and only then, could I sit back, do a very little personalization, and have a perfect running Windows 11 PC. (FAST, Clean, and efficient) I'm on such a PC right now.
I've done this, not just once or twice, but over 20 times now, and I have the procedure down pat.

But for those who are either unwilling or unable to do what I do, there is always the "Revo Uninstaller" to help clean out the unwanted programs and apps.

Y'all have a great day now, Y'hear?

TM

TechnoMage2021 said:

If I were given a brand new Windows 11 PC, still in the box, my first official act would be to boot it up with one of my Flash Drives containing a New and Improved version of Windows 11, and perform a CLEAN Install.

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Shouldn't that should be the second thing you do? Surely the first thing should be to boot it up with its own Windows and export all its OEM drivers.

One way to get away from some irritations with Windows is to setup a second User with a slightly different name, by at least one character. Make that new User a Local Account with Administrative Rights, do a full shutdown and reboot into it and remove the User with the Microsoft Account [usually established at first setup]. I've kept one Notebook as a Microsoft Account only to be able to see what problems my clients are getting.

Bree said:

Shouldn't that should be the second thing you do? Surely the first thing should be to boot it up with its own Windows and export all its OEM drivers.

Click to expand...

First thing that I do, is take an image of a brand new machine.
Second, I boot up, and ensure that all the hardware is working and the device manager is clean.

I then download all of the latest drivers from the machine vendor or the hardware vendor to use for a clean install. Who knows how old the drivers are on the machine when you buy it retail.

I then clean install, load my own drivers, run Windows update till it's clean. Then image the machine again.

pparks1 said:

First thing that I do, is take an image of a brand new machine.
Second, I boot up, and ensure that all the hardware is working and the device manager is clean.

I then download all of the latest drivers from the machine vendor or the hardware vendor to use for a clean install. Who knows how old the drivers are on the machine when you buy it retail.

I then clean install, load my own drivers, run Windows update till it's clean. Then image the machine again.

Click to expand...

Absolutely the best approach. Image that drive first, stick it in a dark dry corner of the room where you can find it if you need it. After that go to town on it, removing everything you don't need, keeping and updating everything you need, and then make your backups once your settings are they way you like them. A second image could save you a lot of time in the future too. For me, a clean install isn't optional with proprietary builds. They cram in so much adware, bloatware, and bundled software it's disgraceful. Anyway, user preference prevails. Just my opinion.

Hi,
No return so guessing he threw it in the trash or returned as defect hehe

Just got a new acer nitro so got a taste of win-11 home default shock lol

I did bypass the ms account nonsense at first start with Shift+f10 and cmd and used OOBE\BYPASSNRO and exit
Then limited setup with the installation process.

But yeah 11 is a steaming pile of dung out of the box oem or not.

ThrashZone said:

But yeah 11 is a steaming pile of dung out of the box oem or not.

Click to expand...

Let me be the first to confess that Win 11 is not my favourite OS. (For that matter neither is 10 or 8) Apart from this one might take some solace in the idea that Win 11 has promise. I remember when Vista was a steaming pile as well and it took Microsoft years to get it right. After Service Pack 2.5 it actually became a relatively reliable and stable operating system. Of course, by then it was practically an entirely different operating system but that's what gave us Windows 7. Perhaps I'm being a little too optimistic to think that Microsoft will do it again, but one can always hope.

Windows 11 could be better but it could also be worse. Sadly, with the prospect of AI coming into view it likely will not be a change for the better. I know many would disagree with me on this point but I still have my options open to me. There's still Linux and if there are programs that I want to run that Linux can't handle there's still Windows 7. Not everything on a PC has to be tethered to the internet — yet. When I finally merge with the great gig in the sky Microsoft will be someone else's problem and I'll have no use for such archaic interfaces. In the meantime I'll just have to learn to roll with the punches and for an old codger like myself that's good enough.

I'm old, I'm retired and can't afford to go out and have fun like I use to. So I sit home, most days, and play with my computers (12). And when I need a good laugh, I read a forum or two.

I think it's hysterical, that some folks will download and install the very worse OS available anywhere and then jump on a forum and complain about this and that and the other thing.

My hobby is playing around with different versions of popular OS's. Just today, I found a new version of Windows 11, downloaded it and installed it to an old laptop drive. In less than two hours, I was done with the Install, and down to some of my own customization. The new OS is really small, uncluttered and FAST.

And like Every OS since 8.1, it will find and install all the pertinent hardware drivers. I waited only a few minutes, while the new OS went out and found the latest drivers for my NVIDEA GeForce 210 video card.

All this effort today was just for fun. I'll never use what I installed today as my every day OS.
But what I proved today is that a nice little OS can be installed and set up to do work in just one afternoon.

And, the motherboard that I set that new OS up on, today, has a Bios date of 2008.

Cheers Mates!
TM

Buy a new machine. Before I even power it up I remove the factoy installed hard drive and replace it with a drive from my stash. Clean install of needed OS without any of the BS. If I have a hardware issue requiring warranty repair I just slap the factory drive back in.

Ghost1959 said:

Buy a new machine. Before I even power it up I remove the factoy installed hard drive and replace it with a drive from my stash. Clean install of needed OS without any of the BS. If I have a hardware issue requiring warranty repair I just slap the factory drive back in.

Click to expand...

Yup.

I'll just repeat what I've said before:
Microsoft Windows (any popular version) right out of the box is a real POS! I won't have it!!!
If I were given a brand new PC, today, I wouldn't even go through the laborious Windows setup process. I'd just boot up to one of my Flash Drives containing my favorite NON-MS Windows xx and do a clean install.
Then in less than an hour, I'd have a user friendly OS that I could actually use.
And, I wouldn't have to be on a forum bemoaning all the problems that can come with a MS OS.

All this is just one old man's preference. "Works for me!"

Cheers Mates!
TM

Bill F said:

I just bought 2 new HP computers with Windows 11. I can't stand how it constantly asks for usernames, passwords, PIN# and credentials. I can't get anything done. What on Earth are network credentials? I've tried my MS username and password but that doesn't work. I never created credentials when I first setup my new computers.
I have looked for help online but whenI follow the steps I don't arrive at whatever place has options, like boxes to check because the boxes are not threre.
I hope there's a way to turn off all this security nonsense because this is MY PC in my own home so who am I protecting it from?
After onIy 4 daysI am about ready to toss this thing into the trash.

Click to expand...

Hi Bill. Usernames, passwords, PIN#, credentials, and security concerns are all a part of normal PC and phone operating systems. You sound like you need a friend in person to help you settle in.