YOUR PIN IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE DUE TO A CHANGE TO THE SECURITY SETTINGS ON YOUR DEVICE.

I feel that, it turned my $3,000 pc into a paper weight, now all it’s good for is holding down my mouse pad

HOW TO AVOID THIS ISSSUE IN THE FUTURE!

1. Create a Local Account
2. Only sign into you Microsoft account when required
3. Never remain signed into your Microsoft account, always ensure that you are signed out
4. When signed into your Local Account, this issue will never occur,

5, This will ensure that after a security change that you can always sign back in after a simple reboot.

Hope this helps!

Hi,

Further to this solution here is the solution which worked for me. This is a repost as I posted it later on, but this will also include how to prevent this from happening again.

1. Here is the workaround, well it worked for me. No loss of data:

If you can as an added precaution for the next time, because there will be a next time, create a secondary Microsoft Account Email address. If you've got a smart phone, and access to your incoming email, then you're in a better position than I was. My computer was my only access to my incoming email. I don't have one, but thankfully not being on a desert island I managed to borrow a laptop and then assessed my email via the online server. I found then to my delight that Microsoft had not sent out a reply with the requested code to the email address that I use for my Microsoft Account. here are the steps that I followed:

1. At computer screen and locked out.
2. Message informing that PIN/PASSWORD had been deactivated etc.
3. Requires reactivating: Go to link below
4. This should open the usual Microsoft Access to your Microsoft Account.
5. IMPORTANT: DO NOT SIGN INTO YOUR ACCOUNT
6. You should see below your Microsoft Account Email address
7. Click On it and you will now be asked to confirm said email
8. I DID NOT ENTER my Microsoft Primary Account Email Address, instead I ENTERED MY SECONDARY EMAIL ADDRESS

IMPORTANT: I used a secondary email address, but I think it would have still worked if I'd used my Primary email address. Just remember:

DO NOT SIGN INTO YOUR MICROSOFT ACCOUNT.

Up to this point, I had not received a verification code from Microsoft using my Primary Email Address. So, at this stage, I wasn't prepared to use it again and so used my Secondary Email Address.

I am aware that not everyone has more than one and even fewer with a secondary address let alone attached to their Microsoft Account. I do due to previous experience(s) in dealing with Microsoft. So try your normal email address, which is what I would have done if that attempt had failed. Just don't sign in to your account. That apart from the change of email address was all that I did that was different to any of the previous attempts I'd made.

9. Send your request for your Verification Code.
10. Screen now changes to allow you to enter the Verification Code
11. Check Your Email! for your Verification Code. I received mine within 5 seconds
12. Enter Verification Code

You should immediately be granted access to your computer. No harm done, no loss of data.

The trick is to get that Verification Code which will grant you access without all the hassle and without losing any data. What is annoying is that every time that I get a bios update, this will happen again and again. And the reason behind it isn't to keep your data safe, it's to enable Microsoft to take control of your computer and also to act as 'Watch Dog, Overseer!' Up until now they have just been able to spy, now they are guardians of your computer or so they say!

Sorry for the bandwidth. I hope this is of some help. Now to answer all the other emails in reference to this issue that I've received. It will be a cut and paste job.

2. HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN:
3. Create a 'LOCAL ACCOUNT'
4. Sign In
5. Never sign into your Microsoft Account and Remain Signed in. So do not tick the box when asked if you want to stay signed in.
6. Sign into your Microsoft Account only when required to do so. Again Do Not Remain Signed In.

5, If You are Signed Into Your Microsoft Account, You Will Get Locked Out As Before Every Time There Is An Update To Your System.

6. Creating a Local Account and Signing In To That Account Will Prevent This.
7. You Will Likely Require A Reboot, BUT That is About All.
8. You then Sign In as Normal
9. Creating and Using A Local Account has saved me twice since my initial experience when signed into my Microsoft Account.
10. Just to emphasize: CREATE A LOCAL ACCOUNT. This can be done under USER ACCOUNTS.

I hope that you find this useful.

Yours

John

De Carteret

PS I have posted full explanation of one way of obtaining code, but doesn't work for everyone as it requires certain things to be in place.

Hi Dana,

Obviously you have followed the link which brings up the sign in box to your account, but you receive no reply. Have you tried not signing into your account and instead supplying a different email address for the reply?

Even not signing in and supplying your original email address will work, Another alternative is to use a friends email address, obviously with permission. You can then change it again once you have regained access.

The email will go to your friend and he or she will have to pass the code across to you via phone or mobile. Again there are ways that you can receive the code via your mobile if you can access your email on line. This is how I accessed mine but I used a laptop that I borrowed and logged into the server.

Once you have, hopefully fixed the problem and your computer is again accessible here is a permanent fix to ensure that it never happens again.

'CREATE A LOCAL ACCOUNT.' 'ONLY SIGN INTO YOUR MICROSOFT ACCOUNT WHEN NEEDED.' 'NEVER STAY SIGNED IN.'

This will prevent this situation from arising. It can only happen if you are signed into your Microsoft account.

With a local account, you might have to reboot your computer, but you will then be in a position to enter your original password and carry on. And or create a new password, but you will be able to do that on screen without the need to receive a code.

Sorry I can't be more specific as having experienced it as we all have and then with a local account I cannot recall exactly how it went down with a local account. Just that, access was a breeze and I have now gone through this three times, each time after a Bios up date. and the third time, all I had to do was either simply reboot or I just typed in my password as if nothing had happened.

Again, if you are signed into your Microsoft account, you will get locked out every time and will require the code. I hope this helps.

Regards

John
De Carteret