How to fix a prompt for admin credentials when signing in on my personal computer?

Ella S 0 Reputation points
2025-08-15T00:08:18.4933333+00:00

I have a personal Lenovo laptop that I use for school.

I got logged out of my account when I sent it to Costco to be repaired. Since receiving the laptop, I am a secondary account on the laptop and cannot make any modifications without and admin username and password.

I contacted Costco and they have said they are unable to help. I cannot reset the laptop without the admin credentials.

Has anyone had this issue or have any idea how to solve it?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | My People
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  1. Airbus A350 7,770 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-15T00:21:28.9533333+00:00

    Hello,

    You can reset your PC using a USB. o do this, you will need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of capacity.

    If you have another computer, download the Media Creation Tool (click here for the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, and click here for the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool), and then run the file once it downloads. If you get a prompt asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device, simply push Yes. Once the MCT comes up, insert your USB flash drive, choose your architecture, language, and time/currency format, make sure to push "USB Flash Drive", as this will create a bootable USB. Let the MCT create the bootable USB and then eject the flash drive once it's done.

    On the non-functioning computer, boot from the USB flash drive, and then once the Windows Installer comes up, push "Install Now". If you get a prompt asking if you want to do an Upgrade or a Custom Installation, push the Custom Installation. Then, when asked to select where to install Windows, select the Windows partition that you had Windows installed to (it is most likely the largest partition on there and has the label OS, Windows, or Local Disk), and then push Next. If you get a prompt telling you about moving previous Windows installations to a folder called Windows.old, simply push OK.

    Let Windows install and after it finishes installing, complete the OOBE (Out-of-Box-Experience), and then you should be on your way.

    If you don't have a second computer, ask a friend or family member.

    Let me know how this goes.

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