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

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, but if it was as easy as that, I would have solved it then and there. After updating my bios, the security was deemed to have changed and Microsoft TPM2 locked me out. My PIN/PASSWORD was deactivated. In the process the only form of entering anything was removed. In other words I couldn't enter a PIN or a PASSWORD has the box to do so had been removed.

My only access to my email was through the computer and though I'd sent a code request off, I had no way to access the reply. Which was never sent anyway by Microsoft. If I'd been on a remote island, I would never have been able to receive the email. After 12 hours, during which Microsoft were of absolutely no help, their advice was to wipe clean and do a clean install. That wasn't going to happen.

Must run now, I will post later how I fixed the issue and without the loss of any data.

Regards

John De Carteret

That's what I had to do unfortunately, wipe out everything other than that I have tried everything and it didn't work.

Hi Carol,

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.

Yours

John

De Carteret

PS Microsoft have known about this issue for a good 2 years.

Hi David,

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.

Yours

John

De Carteret

PS Microsoft have known about this issue for a good 2 years.