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21 November 2023  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Don't panic if you find yourself unable to access your computer. With a few simple strategies, you can overcome a lockout and get back to using your device. From safe mode to recovery tools, this article covers everything you need to know to regain access to your computer.



Table of contents

table iconFor Windows Computer
table iconFor Linux user
table iconTroubleshooting Tips: Resolving Common Issues Encountered During Password Recovery Attempts
table iconConclusion
It’s a feeling of panic and frustration like no other – realizing that you’re locked out of your own computer. Whether it’s due to forgetting your password or encountering a technical error, being unable to access your files and programs can bring your productivity to a grinding halt. As you stare at the log-in screen, you may be wondering if all hope is lost. But fear not, because there are methods to regain access to your computer without losing any of your personal files. In this article, we will explore the first method – utilizing the built-in Windows 10 Safe Mode feature.

For Windows Computer

Extra Information : Login method error(such as PIN login failed, no other options)

PIN is no longer available forgot PIN no other login options
“Screen Stuck on “Provide a PIN” No other options. No way to get into the Desktop”
“I can’t do anything.I’m locked out.I dont know how to change the pin if i can’t get in.”
If you encounter login issues with your Windows Computer due to a PIN lockout, deleting the NGC folder may help resolve the problem.
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Using Windows Installation Media to access Windows sytem folder
- Insert the Windows Installation Media into your Dell laptop and restart the computer.
If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key
Windows 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above
- Press the appropriate key (usually F12) to access the boot menu and select the Windows Installation Media as the boot device.
- When the Windows Setup screen appears, choose your language preferences and click “Next“. Then, click on “Repair your computer” in the bottom left corner.
repair your computer windows 10
- Select Troubleshoot, followed by Advanced options, and then Command Prompt to open the Command Prompt window.
Select Command Prompt
- Navigate to the following path:

cd C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

Step 2: Delete the NGC folder.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the command:

del /F /Q /A *

- Press Enter to execute the command and wait for the process to complete.
- Once the process finishes, restart your Dell laptp to check if you can now use the PIN login option on your Dell laptop.
By changing permissions and resetting the permissions for the NGC folder, you may be able to remove the NGC folder effectively and regain access to the PIN login option on your Dell laptop. If you are still facing difficulties with resetting your PIN or need further assistance, keep reading to explore additional solutions.

Method 1: Safe Mode - Regain Access to Your Computer By restore to previous point (Windows 10)

Facing a lockout from your Windows 10 device need not be a roadblock. By employing the system’s “Safe Mode“, you can troubleshoot and possibly restore access without jeopardizing your personal files.
Here’s how to utilize “Safe Mode” effectively:
Step 1: If you are locked out before logging into Windows, initiate a restart of your computer. As it boots up, interrupt the boot process three times in succession to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Do this by holding down “SHIFT” + the “Restart” button in login screen. After the third interruption, the system should enter WinRE.
press Shift key and click the restart button
Step 2: In the WinRE interface, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore, then click on the Restart button.
windows recovery environment Advanced Options, select startup repair
Step 3: You can select a specific version in “System Restore” for rollback.
restore wizard in windows recovery enviroment
Restore to previous store point
In summary, “System Restore” in Windows 10 offers a protective environment to resolve system access issues, with minimal risk to personal data. While an effective first strategy, it’s essential to recognize when more robust solutions may be needed. Always be cautious with system changes and be prepared to explore further restoration or recovery methods if the initial attempt does not resolve the access problem.

Method 2: Using Renee PassNow to reset or remove passwords If forgot login password

Locked out of your computer if forgot login password? Don’t worry, there are other solutions available that can help you reset or remove your login password without losing any of your personal files.
One effective method is using Renee PassNow, a powerful password recovery tool that can help you regain access to your computer. This method does not require any technical knowledge and is suitable for both novice and experienced users. In this chapter, we will guide you through the steps of using Renee PassNow to reset or remove passwords without causing any data loss.
Tips:If your account is Microsoft Account, Renee PassNow will convert this account to Local account. After resetting login password, you need to connect your account to your Microsoft Account again.
To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.
Renee PassNow – Professional Windows System Rescue Tool

Remove Windows Login Password 3 steps for whole password remove process.

Recover the files Recover the deleted files without Windows system.

Transfer the data Transfer the important files of the computer with system.

Fix Windows startup error Fix various Windows startup failures or crashes.

Erase disk Completely erase disk files which will not be restored.

Remove Windows Login Password 3 steps for whole password remove process.

Recover the files Recover the deleted files without Windows system.

Transfer the data Transfer the important files of the computer with system.

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Create New Windows 10 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.
Common Server:
Server TypeEnter boot menu method
DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.
HPPress the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.
Common Computers:
BIOS NameEnter boot menu method
ASRockDEL or F2
ASUSDEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards
AcerDEL or F2
DellF12 or F2
ECSDEL
Gigabyte / AorusDEL or F2
Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops)F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads)Enter then F1
MSIDEL
Microsoft Surface TabletsPress and hold Power and Volume Up buttons
Origin PCF2
SamsungF2
ToshibaF2
ZotacDEL
HPEsc/ F9 for `Boot Menu`/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources
INTELF10
locked out of my computer
Step 4: Select password reset function
After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.
After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
Step 5: Resetting the Password
Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
To regain access to your computer, try using the option “Create new account” and set the account name as “reneelab” with the password “123456789″.
Step 6: Reboot the PC
That’s it! You can now remove the bootable media and restart your computer. You will be able to log in without entering a password.
Note: If you choose to reset the password, all the existing files and settings on your computer will remain unchanged. 
Using Renee PassNow to reset or remove passwords is a quick and efficient method, without risking any damage to your personal files. However, it may not work in some cases, such as if your computer is part of a domain or if you have enabled BitLocker encryption.
Advantages:
  • Easy to use – suitable for both novice and experienced users.
  • Faster than other methods, takes only a few minutes to reset or remove passwords.
  • No data loss – your personal files and settings will remain unchanged if you choose to reset the password.

Disadvantages:

  • May not work in certain situations, such as if your computer is part of a domain or if you have enabled BitLocker encryption.
  • Requires access to a different computer to create the bootable media.
As a precaution, we recommend creating a Windows 10 installation media to reset your Windows login password. This method will be discussed in the next chapter, “Method 3: Using a Windows 10 Installation Media to reset Windows login password”. This will serve as an alternative method in case Renee PassNow does not work for you.

Method 3: Using a Windows 10 Installation Media to Reset Windows Login Password

Forgetting your Windows 10 login can lead to a stressful lockout situation, particularly if you have not set up password recovery options beforehand. However, there’s an efficient workaround that involves using Windows 10 installation media to reset the password. This technique replaces the Utility Manager with the Command Prompt, allowing you to reset the password or create a new admin account.
Step 1: Prepare a Windows 10 installation disc or USB installation media. If you don’t have one, create it using another accessible computer and the Media Creation Tool.
If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
Windows XPhttps://isoriver.com/windows-xp-iso-download/-
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key
Windows 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above
Step 2: Start the locked Windows 10 computer from the installation media. Connect the installation disk to your computer and configure it to boot from this disk.
Step 3: Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt. After your computer successfully boots from the installation disk and you see the Windows Setup window, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Execute the following commands:

move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak

and

copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Make sure you replace “C:” with the actual drive letter of your Windows installation if it differs.
Step 4: Remove the installation media and restart your PC using the command

wpeutil reboot

When you reach the sign-in screen, click the Utility Manager icon, and a Command Prompt window should open.
Step 5: Reset the local admin password or add a new admin account using Command Prompt. To reset the password, use the command

net user [username] [newpassword]

, replacing “[username " with the actual username and "[newpassword]” with the new password you wish to set. To add a new admin account, use the command

net user /add [newusername] [password]

and then

net localgroup administrators [newusername] /add

, substituting “[newusername]” and “[password]” with the new account’s desired username and password.
Step 6: Restore the Utility Manager. Insert the installation disk again and reboot your PC from it. Access the Command Prompt as before and type the command

move C:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak C:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

, pressing Enter. Confirm with “Yes” when prompted to restore the original file.
Step 7: Exit the Command Prompt and remove the installation disk. You can now reboot Windows 10 and log in using the newly reset local admin account or the new admin account that you created.
To conclude, this method serves as a reliable solution when you are locked out of your Windows 10 PC and need to reset your local admin password or create a new user with administrative privileges. It’s important to note that this method should be used responsibly, as it can also be utilized by unauthorized persons to gain access to a computer. Thus, once you regain access to your system, consider enhancing your computer security, setting up proper recovery options, and maintaining regular backups to prevent such situations in the future.
Finally, remember that while this method can be a lifesaver, it underscores a significant security vulnerability within Windows. It’s crucial to safeguard your computer from unauthorized physical access to prevent potential misuse of this method.

Method 4: Contact Microsoft Support for assistance with Microsoft account password resets and access issues.

If you are a user of Microsoft Account and find yourself locked out of your computer, there is a way to reset your password and regain access. By contacting Microsoft Support, you can receive assistance with resetting your Microsoft account password and resolving any access issues you may encounter.
To use this method, follow the steps listed below.
Step 1: Open a web browser and go to the Microsoft Support page.
Step 2: Select the option for password reset and click on the “Next” button.
Step 3: Enter the email address associated with your Microsoft account and click on the “Next” button.
Step 4: Choose the method for receiving a one-time code to verify your identity. You can choose to receive the code via email, text message, or phone call.
Step 5: Enter the code you received and click on the “Next” button.
Step 6: Create a new password for your Microsoft account and click on the “Next” button.
Step 7: Use your new password to log in to your Microsoft account and regain access to your computer.
This method is a convenient option for those who have trouble remembering their passwords or are unable to reset their password using other methods. However, it does require an active internet connection and access to a web browser.
Note: By resetting your Microsoft account password, you will need to reconnect your account to your Microsoft Account after resetting the login password.

For Linux user

How to unlock Ubuntu computer if forgot password

How to unlock Ubuntu computer if forgot password
Forgetting your Ubuntu password can be a common slip, but it needn’t spell disaster for accessing your data. Ubuntu’s recovery options are designed to handle such emergencies without data loss. Here’s a step-by-step guide to resetting your password using Ubuntu’s Recovery Mode.
Step 1: Restart your computer and hold down the Esc key or the left Shift key as it boots up to trigger the GRUB boot menu. Timing is important here; if you don’t see the menu, try again.
Step 2: Once in the GRUB menu, navigate using the arrow keys to the “Advanced options for Ubuntu” and then enter “Recovery mode“. Proceed by selecting “root – Drop to root shell prompt” to access the root terminal where you can execute commands.
Advanced options for Ubuntu
Step 3: Remount the filesystem with write permissions to modify system settings with the command

mount -o remount,rw /

. This allows you to change the password.
Step 4: Reset the password by typing

passwd username

, where username is your actual username. When prompted, enter a new password. You’ll need to retype it for verification.
In some situations, it might be necessary to take more drastic measures, such as setting the password to null. This involves editing the system’s password file, allowing you to log in by simply pressing Enter at the password prompt. While logged in as the root user in Recovery Mode:
Step 5: Type

nano /etc/shadow

to edit the system’s password file. Locate your username and the encrypted password that follows it.
Step 6: Carefully delete the encrypted password, ensuring you leave the colons “:” intact. Save the changes by pressing Ctrl+O, hit Enter to confirm, and then exit nano with Ctrl+X.
Step 7: Reboot your system by typing

reboot

or pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete. After rebooting, you should be able to log in without a password. Remember to immediately set a new password using the

passwd username

command in a terminal for security.
If for some reason you cannot access Recovery Mode, using a Live CD or USB to boot and then chroot into your system’s partition remains a viable alternative approach. This would give you root access to your installed system, allowing you to reset your password from there.
It is worth noting that Ubuntu does not have an “Administrative” password by default. Administrative tasks are typically performed using the initial user account with sudo privileges. The root account is locked by default and should not be directly accessed for security reasons.

How to unlock centos computer if forgot login password

Forgetting the root password on your CentOS computer doesn’t have to be a disaster. With physical or console access to the system, you can undertake a password recovery process which is straightforward but demands attention to detail. Let’s dive into the steps required to reset the lost root password on CentOS 7.
Step 1: Reboot the system and, on the GRUB2 boot screen, press any key to stop the automatic booting process. Highlight the default kernel and press e to edit the boot parameters.
Reboot the system and, on the GRUB2 boot screen
Step 2: Find the line starting with

linux16

or

linux

and append

rd.break

at the end of it. This command interrupts the early root file system mount process, providing you with access to the necessary recovery environment. Press Ctrl+x to start with these parameters, which will lead you into the Initramfs debug shell.
Step 3: Now, remount the root file system with read and write permissions using the command

mount -o remount,rw /sysroot

Step 4: Perform a chroot into

/sysroot

, effectively making it your new root with the command:

chroot /sysroot

Step 5: You can now reset the root password. Enter the

passwd

command and follow the prompts to input and confirm the new password.
Step 6: Afterward, ensure that the SELinux contexts are relabeled on the next reboot, which is crucial for the system’s security policy. Type the command

touch /.autorelabel

Step 7: Type

exit

twice to leave the chroot environment and then exit the Initramfs debug shell. Your system will reboot, and you can now log in as root with the new password.
This reset procedure is an important trick for any system administrator. It’s especially handy for inherited systems where the root password is unknown. However, it comes with the reminder that such power should be wielded carefully. This procedure also underscores the fact that this approach cannot be performed remotely and requires direct console access, ensuring an added layer of security.
In conclusion, while the step-by-step process allows for a seemingly smooth recovery from a forgotten root password on CentOS 7, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the method has its risks. It highlights the importance of safeguarding physical access to your servers to prevent unauthorized root access recovery attempts. Conversely, it’s an invaluable recovery method when legitimate access is needed. Always take precautions with your systems” physical security and remember that securing the boot loader with a password adds another layer of protection.
Tips:Make sure to keep physical access to your servers secure to prevent unauthorized root access recovery attempts.

Troubleshooting Tips: Resolving Common Issues Encountered During Password Recovery Attempts

Being locked out of your computer due to a forgotten or lost password can be frustrating and cause a significant disruption to your work or personal life. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue without having to resort to extreme measures like reformatting your computer. In this chapter, we will discuss some troubleshooting tips to help you regain access to your computer.
Confirm Your Password

Before attempting any other solution, it’s important to make sure that you have entered your password correctly. Double-check the spelling and capitalization of your password, as well as any additional characters or symbols. Sometimes, a simple typo can be the cause of your login issues.

Try Alternate Passwords

If you have more than one user account on your computer, it’s possible that you may have used a different password for each account. Try using passwords that you may have used in the past or variations of your current password. Additionally, if you use a password manager, check to see if it has saved any alternate passwords for your account.

Reset Your Microsoft Account Password

If you use a Microsoft account to log into your computer, you can recover your password through the Microsoft website. Simply click on the “Forgot my password” link on the login screen and follow the prompts to reset your password. Keep in mind that you will need access to a secondary email or phone number associated with your Microsoft account to complete the reset process.

Contact Microsoft Support for Assistance

If all else fails, contact Microsoft Support for help with resetting your password. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or help you regain access to your account. Keep in mind that this option may require proof of ownership of the device, such as a product key or serial number.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being locked out of your Windows 10 computer can be a frustrating and stressful experience. However, with the right knowledge and tools, you can easily regain access to your system without losing important data or compromising its security. We have discussed four effective methods to help you overcome this issue, including using safe mode, utilizing password recovery software, creating a Windows 10 installation media, and seeking assistance from Microsoft support. Additionally, we have provided troubleshooting tips to help you navigate common issues during the password recovery process. It is always advisable to have a backup plan in case you find yourself unable to access your computer, so make sure to take necessary precautions before such a situation arises. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps outlined in this article to regain access to your Windows 10 computer successfully.