What is the advanced startup command prompt password?

ozzy 0 Reputation points
2026-08-31T23:08:12.1733333+00:00

My windows 10 laptop does not recognize my password for account

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Recovery and backup
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  1. GsN5034 - IA 76,475 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-01T02:40:49.8833333+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out.

    It is the Administrator password for the system you used during the initial Windows setup. If you set up Windows with a Microsoft account, use the password you entered the first time during setup. If you used a local account, use the password for that local account.

    If you’re having trouble finding the correct password for your account, you’ll need to create a bootable USB installation media and use it to repair Windows. To do this, boot the device from the USB installation media, then select 'Repair your computer' instead of Install Windows. This will take you to the Windows Recovery Environment.

    From there, you can open the WinRE Command Prompt, which does not require your administrator password.

    You can use the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create bootable installation media -

    Download Windows 10

    Let me know if you still need more help.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-31T23:08:26.77+00:00

    The Advanced Startup Command Prompt typically expects the password for the Windows account selected on that screen, not the PIN.

    If the PC uses a Microsoft account:

    1. At the sign-in or recovery prompt, try the Microsoft account password.
    2. If the password is no longer accepted, reset it here: Recover your account.
    3. After resetting, use the new password instead of the PIN.

    If the PC uses a local account:

    1. On the Windows sign-in screen, select the arrow next to the password box.
    2. Select OK > Reset password.
    3. Answer the security questions for that local account.

    If the password is correct but still fails in Advanced Startup or WinRE, one documented cause is the keyboard layout in the recovery environment. A mismatched layout can make special characters enter incorrectly.

    If normal sign-in also fails:

    • On the Windows sign-in screen, use I forgot my password or I forgot my PIN if shown.
    • Restart the device and try again.
    • Use the Sign-in helper for Microsoft account sign-in issues.

    Important:

    • A PIN is different from the account password.
    • Microsoft support cannot retrieve or bypass a lost or forgotten password.
    • Support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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