Cannot log in: local account replaced with MS account and MS account inaccesable

Anonymous
2014-01-26T08:59:28+00:00

I have been using my laptop with my local account - i.e. NOT an MS account - up until now.

Today I wanted to use Skype on the laptop for the first time. Skype requires the use of an MS account. Hence I created a dummy MS account (@outlook.com) with which I logged in and used Skype.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE MY LOCAL ACCOUNT TO LOGIN ANYMORE!!!

I have the original user-id and password for my local account well documented (and protected).

BUT now I cannot log in with the MS account I created because some problem with the password (it has been blocked due to too many erroneous tries I reckon). Since it was meant to be a dummy account which I did not intend to use in the future I did not bother completing the form and take note of such things as security question, alternative e-mail, telephone etc.

NOW WHAT???

I WANT MY LOCAL ACCOUNT BACK!!!

What can I do??? I am desperate for help on this issue.

PS: I created another MS-dummy account with which I am posting this question.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-12-31T20:39:39+00:00

    I had the same problem and figured out a solution.

    In my case, I created a Microsoft account for my windows phone and later, when I tried to login in to my laptop, it said the password was incorrect. After losing my mind and spending hours researching the problem, I noticed that in the bottom left hand corner of my login screen showed two names: "Susan" and "Default", which I had never noticed before.

    I clicked on "Default" (instead of "Susan" which was selected) and my regular login password worked. My laptop is not synced with my PC or phone so I'm not sure how a new Microsoft login was created on my laptop. I'm just happy I'm now logged in.

    So frustrating! I'm going to log out of all my microsoft accounts before I find myself locked out of another device.

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  2. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-04-12T14:42:01+00:00

    Now you can see my email on my computer login screen.

    You don't have to.  Just turn that option off.  You can customize what shows on the login screen.  You can pick name, name+email, or name+email+domain, or nothing (completely blank).

    If I change the new .outlook email acct password to a short pin like I had to log, it is easily hacked.

    The PIN is 2-factor authentication.  It only works if you have the pin (something you know) and you have your device (something you have).   It's just like 2nd factor auth where you get a code from your phone, or receive a text message.  Unless you have that device, the PIN number is useless and can never be used to hack your online account. The PIN is never transmitted, and isn't stored online.  It's just like the PIN on your phone (or your fingerprint on your phone, if your phone has one).  PINs are much more secure than 16-char passwords, because you never transmit them.  If you are never using your password, you can't get phished or scammed either, because you never provide anything someone could use.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-12T14:30:43+00:00

    > That's one of the perks of using a connected account, especially if you have multiple computers, because everything, even passwords, stay in sync

    OMG ****. I don't want all my passwords in sync. MS didn't ask to do this, just did it.

    Now you can see my email on my computer login screen. I had a gmail acct hacked once. So all my emails now have a very long and complex password string, now to log in to my computer I have to type in a 16 char random string. If I change the new .outlook email acct password to a short pin like I had to log, it is easily hacked.

    MS has done a lot to push me away, this stupid linking of everything is it, this is a new computer and I'm packing it up and going with a different OS. Been exclusively MS Windows since Window 3.0 in 1990. Bye Windows

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-03-16T19:52:08+00:00

    I have exactly the same problem-- created a dummy account I never imagined using with dummy information, no admin (or any other) accounts on the login page in safe mode. When I try to use the account reset online, I am informed that I didn't provide sufficient information (as I have never had another password, created folders, or sent emails from this account, there is no more information).

    Have you been able to resolve this issue? Phone support has told me they are completely helpless to help me, and the account reset page is also not helpful.

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