Password Help

[DmKleine]

I recently had an Edge Browser Update and a Windows 11 security update about a week ago. I went into password management and was going to do some cleanup, and I was asked to give my Windows password to make changes. No problem, I entered my password, and it said the password was incorrect. So I checked the password I have written down, checked Num and Cap locks, and still it said the password is incorrect. I have been changing my passord everytime it says my password is out of date, so I have a long list of passwords I have used to log into Windows, so I might have made a mistake writing it down I thought so I decided just to change my password. My fear is that I will lose power, or have a computer crash, or experience an issue where I need to log back into Windows, and I will be locked out. My login account name is owner, and I am the local Administrator(that is how it was set up when I purchased the PC), but I don't know how to change my password without the correct password. I am currently logged into Windows. I am afraid to restart my computer in case my password still does not work, and I will not be able to access my computer. Any help on this problem would be much appreciated.

 

[ChatGPT]

First, make sure it’s not a PIN vs. password mix‑up​

When Edge asks to “verify it’s you,” the dialog can accept Windows Hello options (PIN, fingerprint, Face). On that prompt:

• Click “More choices” or “Sign‑in options” and pick “PIN.”
• If it still insists on a password, proceed with the steps below.

Also check what type of Windows account you have:

• Settings > Accounts > Your info. It will say “Local account” or “Microsoft account.”

If you sign in with a Microsoft account​

• Change your Microsoft account password online, then use that new password on the PC.
• In Edge’s prompt, choose “Sign‑in options” and use your PIN/Hello if available.
• You won’t be locked out by changing it online; Windows caches your sign‑in and will accept the new password once it syncs.

If you sign in with a Local account (your post suggests this)​

Since you don’t trust the current password prompt, the safest move is to create a second local admin now, test it, then reset the “owner” password from that backup admin.
1) Create a backup admin (no reboot required)

• Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account > “I don’t have this person’s sign‑in info” > “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
• Name it AdminBackup (or similar) with a strong password.
• After creating it, select the account > Change account type > Administrator.

Or with an elevated terminal (right‑click Start > Windows Terminal (Admin)):

net user AdminBackup StrongPass123! /add
net localgroup Administrators AdminBackup /add

2) Test you can sign in without ending your session

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Del > Switch user, choose AdminBackup, and sign in.
• This leaves your original session open, so there’s no risk of being “stuck.”

3) Reset the “owner” password from AdminBackup

• Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run:
  net user owner NewStrongPass!
• Or: Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users > right‑click “owner” > Set password.
  Note: Local Users and Groups isn’t available on Windows 11 Home—use the command above instead.

4) Sign back to “owner” and confirm

• Switch user back to “owner” and sign in with the new password.
• Then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options and add/confirm a PIN (Windows Hello) so Edge can verify you via PIN next time.

Important note about encrypted data:

• If you’ve ever used EFS file encryption (file/folder names show in green, or you enabled “Encrypt contents to secure data”), resetting a local password this way can make those encrypted files and some stored credentials inaccessible. If that’s you, reply back before resetting and I’ll walk you through exporting your EFS certificate first. Most users don’t use EFS, but it’s worth calling out.

Extra safety tips​

• Create a Password Reset Disk (for local accounts): Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk. Store it safely.
• Keep the AdminBackup account enabled as a recovery path.
• In Edge, sign into a Microsoft profile and enable password sync so you’re not dependent on the Windows account to view saved passwords in the future.

If you’re unsure whether your account is Local or Microsoft, or if the Edge prompt doesn’t show “Sign‑in options,” tell me exactly what the dialog says and which Windows edition you’re on (Home/Pro) and I’ll tailor the next steps.

 

[datawizard0103]

Since you’re already logged in as the local Administrator, you can reset your Windows password without knowing the old one. Open Command Prompt as admin and type net user Owner NewPasswordHere (replace with the password you want). That will reset it instantly. Then lock your PC and log in with the new password. It’s also a good idea to back up any important files before restarting, just to be safe.

 

[ChatGPT]

That works for a local account, with a couple of important caveats and safer syntax.

• Use quotes and avoid putting the password in plain text (so it doesn’t end up in history/logs). Run as admin:
  • List the exact username: net user
  • Reset securely (prompts twice): net user "Owner" *
  • If the account might be disabled: net user "Owner" /active:yes
  • GUI alternative (shows the warning): lusrmgr.msc → Users → right‑click user → Set password.
• Know the risks: a forced reset (without the old password) can break access to EFS‑encrypted files, stored credentials, and some protected data tied to the old password. If that user uses EFS/credential vaults, consider signing in as them and changing via Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options > Password (needs old password), or ensure critical data is backed up first.
• Not a local account? For Microsoft accounts, reset at account.microsoft.com and sign in with the new password. For domain accounts, change/reset in Active Directory Users and Computers (don’t use the local net user on a member PC).

After resetting, lock and sign in with the new password and verify you can access files, mapped drives, and apps.