Re: Locked out of PC

Not necessarily. Most, if not all, don't bother setting a password on their machines, they just expect to turn it on and be ready for use immediately. Windows machines have a `hidden` administrator password so it may have just been the case that when Silver's friend selected `Lock` on her PC rather than Shutdown/Sleep/Hibernate it expected this password to be entered to fire up the machine again?

Re: Locked out of PC

But they said they didn't know the password and/or that all versions of passwords they tried didn't work.

Re: Locked out of PC

That was the point. If they didn't know the password on the lock screen re-booting the PC to its last known good configuration would mean the computer would boot up as normal. i.e. without a login password. If it was a lock screen problem powering down the PC with its on/off switch and then powering it back up again may have achieved the same thing?

(The old IT instruction "Have you tried switching off and back on again?" )

Re: Locked out of PC

Well done, Judd.

Agree that the system restore would do the job if there was no sign in password requirement for the user account.

I was confused because of the reference to trying all passwords in the OP.

I am cautious about System restore because it puts the pc back to same state as when the restore point was created. i.e. any apps added since then are gone! Also any updates.

Again - well done!

Re: Locked out of PC

As I said before - she did have a password - but she is terrified of the beast and, if something unexpected happens, she panics, goes completely button happy, and makes the problem even worse. When her first attempt failed she tried every other combination of letters/numbers/whatever she could think of and confused the poor thing all together.

Anyway - all's well that ends well

Re: Locked out of PC

Glad it's all sorted Silver Tabby!!

:>))

Re: Locked out of PC

Thank you - so am I. If she wrecks it again ... I am emigrating !

Re: Locked out of PC

Story does remind me of my friend who does very similar things, if it does not work first time she goes into panic mode and ends up saying "stupid machine!". I have in the past tried to explain that is not the machine that is stupid but found that was not a good idea, so now I make my excuses and leave!

Re: Locked out of PC

Very wise !

Re: Locked out of PC

By the way, I just read that the password for unlocking a Locked PC is usually set to the same as your Microsoft account password.