A couple of months ago, I purchased a HP Desktop, which runs Windows 10.
During the initial Windows 10 setup, I was asked to create a Microsoft Account. This Microsoft Account was then going to be used to log into Windows.
Once the Microsoft Account was set up, I was then taken to a page which asked if I wanted to create a password that was specific to this Desktop only. This being a security measure, so that I could give people the password to the computer, which is linked to my Microsoft Account, without revealing the Microsoft Account password as well.
I went ahead and did this, which allowed me to log into Windows (Which is linked to my Microsoft Account) with the 'device specific' password. I have been using this password for a couple of months now, with no issues.
That was until today. I tried to log in and it stated that the password was incorrect. The only password, Windows was accepting, was the Microsoft Account password. I tried to change the password but this changed the Microsoft Account password. In simple terms, I no longer have a separate password for this computer.
I have spoken with Microsoft but they say that there is no way to have a separate password for the computer, unless I use a Local Account. I stated that I did not have a Local Account before and that I simply had a Microsoft Account linked to my Windows setup, which accepted a password designated to just this device. Despite my assurances that I have set up these passwords on several Desktops, via the Windows 10 setup page, I was told that such a feature did not exist.
As such, I was wondering if anyone else had come across this or indeed was also aware of this feature and was able to give some guidance on how I can go ahead and change the password for Windows without it changing the Microsoft Account password.
71 Answer
To anyone stumbling on this question, here's a bit of clarification, because I couldn't find documentation or clarification on this myself:
↑ Windows 10 sign in settings
"Password" is not your Windows password, that is your Microsoft account password. I'm not sure, but I think they may have changed the wording of these options recently, which confused me.
"Windows Hello pin" is actually what you would think of as your computer's/Windows password. It's confusing because the wording and icon makes it seem like it can only be numbers, but once you try to set it, you'll see an option to include letters:
So in short, creating a pin is how you make a Windows password separate from your Microsoft account.
In response to one of the comments above:
I have never heard of what you describe. I simply use my MS password to log into my account.
My Microsoft password is long and complex, and managed by a password manager. It's an account that has sensitive information like product licenses and CC numbers.
My Windows password needs to be quick and easy to type so I can get in quickly, so it has to be short and simple. (Before anyone flames me, I have sensitive info on my computer in VeraCrypt drives, plus you generally assume game over if someone gains long term physical access to your computer because they can do offline attacks or can beat the password out of you.)
They're two different standards of security and shouldn't have to be the same password.
