Windows 10 Seeking Reliable Password Retrieval Tools for Windows 10 to Access Lost Login Credentials

Are you using a local account or a MS account?

Hi Hermit,
take a look at this link here: Reset Password of User Account in Windows 10

If this doesn't do it, try purchasing PC UNLOCKER PRO from SWREG; for $29.99. I just used it on a Customer's laptop that got locked out with a Ransomware Virus that locked his Profile in a manner that none of the free tools or methods I've seen would work. This tool is similar to other well-known tools such as NT OFFLINE REGISTRY EDITOR but far more advanced.
The $30 cost is probably cheaper than taking it to a computer repair store where they will charge you from $60-$85 to unlock your password. If you have a Microsoft Account Login which Neemo asked you about, you can reset your password by logging into your Microsoft Account at microsoft.com and performing the reset there. If that doesn't work, or you lost your Microsoft Account password as well, this tool may be your best bet. This tool worked for me perfectly the first time--no muss, no fuss.

Best of luck,
<<<BIGBEARJEDI>>>

Neemorebeer, I sign in with a local account (admin), using a 4-digit pin.But the pin is not the original PW I set up.

Bigbear. signing into my MS account doesn't show me an option to change my computer's log-in password. I may have to use a 3rd party program, as you mentioned. Thanks

At the login screen if you don't remember the pin you can click on the key icon and enter the password for the account. Then go into settings > accounts and click "I Forgot Pin" then reset the pin. If you forgot the password too you can you the Offline NT password reset tool Resetting Windows Password | HBCD Fan & Discussion Platform

Hi again, Hermit!
Yes, I've seen that problem before. The PIN # gets stuck in the profile which may be corrupted and you can't change it back. Of course we are hoping that Neemo is right and you can reset the Pin using the option he gave you! That would be nice of course.

I've had very little luck using the Offline NT password reset on W8x and W10 computers however. There are other free tools, but they require more skills to use. I would go with the PC UNLOCKER PRO TOOL--that is much easier to use than the Linux tools and others that are often used by us Techs. 😉

Anyway, I don't want to bore you to death, so please let us know how you get on and if you would share your final solution with the rest of our forum users that would be much appreciated!

Take care,😎
<<<BBJ>>>

Never mind I missed the part about you using a local account.

Here's something a little further, which may shed some light: When the login screen appears (i.e., the 2nd screen), there's another account there which doesn't show up in user accounts, so I can't eliminate it. My actual admin account is there, but the mystery account is highlighted when the screen opens. I'm not sure how that account got there. Probably from me fiddling with something.
I know this is getting complicated, but you guys are always so helpful and patient. I'll wind up doing one of two things; let the local Geek Squad look at it, or get the program Big Bear mentioned. In the meantime, I'm not locked out, so it's no emergency.
My PIN gets me in. I just have to jump through another hoop to get there.
BTW, I tried resetting my computer, in the hope I could start afresh. That was a waste of time, since it didn't reset the login procedure as I hoped.

Sounds like you have a program such as Quicken or Quickbooks or other program that requires it's own User account in order to operate. There are several out there that do this now. If you didn't install a program such as this, then your computer could have been attacked by a virus/malware and that is one of their ploys; they add a 2nd Admin level account with all the same privileges that your Owner account has. It is now a backdoor to your computer for any and all hackers out there. So, if you cannot remove it and you didn't share your computer with a family-member, spouse, or friend, or co-worker and don't know how it got there I suggest you run AV scans for viruses and remove them all. Then download the free MALWAREBYTES antispyware from Link Removed and remove all found spyware viruses. Reboot your machine. If that 2nd account is still there, your computer has been compromised and needs to be cleaned of viruses. Geek Squad can do this for you. If it's the virus variant I am thinking of, they will most likely need to reinstall your W10 from scratch to remove it.

Once you get your machine re-loaded with W10 whether you pay a Tech to do it, or do yourself; refrain from installing any programs whatsoever on it, including AV software, MS Office, web updates, Adobe & Java, etc. until you can turn the computer on and off again and verify that there is only 1 user account there. Begin installing all of your software, and install your AV program last. As you install your programs, make certain that you only install them 1 at a time. The reason will become clear in a minute. If you are in the process of installing your programs, and that 2nd User account shows up again, that program that you last installed is likely responsible for adding an unauthorized User account to your computer. If that happens, identify the program and go to the manufacturer's website and contact them via phone or E-mail and ask them to verify that their program actually does the Account Creation as part of it's normal process. If this is a free program, I would not use it, but rather find a replacement. Usually, only fee-based programs or apps will do this as it requires very sophisticated programming to create and use.

The other thing I'd recommend when reinstalling on your newly repaired computer, is to make certain to only use DISC, USB, or download-links from manufacturer's websites. DO NOT reinstall from programs previously downloaded in your W10 downloads folder that your or your Tech backed up. That folder is quite likely to be infected with viruses/malware. Again, if you see the problem reoccur, you must suspect the source of the program where you installed it onto your computer from; whether that's local media or a website.

Best of luck,
<<<BBJ>>>

Glad you got it solved! Thanks for sharing your final solution with all of us.

<<<BBJ>>>