How can I reset a Surface pro without the pin or access to the account because the person is deceased?

Mshairdo 0 Reputation points
2025-11-07T03:53:13.0966667+00:00

My relative passed, and I do not know the PIN to a Surface Pro, nor do I have access to the Microsoft account. How can I factory reset it?

Surface | Surface Pro | Safety and security
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  1. Restee Miranda 14,110 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-07T14:04:21.6833333+00:00

    Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft Community! I’m sorry for your loss. If you need to reset a Surface Pro without the PIN or Microsoft account, here’s what you can do:

    Option 1: Use Built-in Recovery

    Turn off the Surface Pro.

    Hold Volume Down, then press and release Power.

    Release Volume Down when the Surface logo appears.

    Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

    Choose Remove everything and follow the prompts.

    Option 2: Create a USB Recovery Drive

    If built-in recovery doesn’t work, create a USB recovery drive using another Windows PC.

    Step 1: Download the Recovery Image

    Go to Microsoft Surface Recovery Image.

    Sign in, select your Surface model, enter the serial number, and download the ZIP file.

    Step 2: Prepare the USB Drive

    Use a USB drive with at least 16 GB (32 GB recommended).

    Format it to FAT32.

    Back up any data because this process erases the drive.

    Step 3: Create the Recovery Drive

    Extract the ZIP file.

    Copy all extracted files to the root of the USB drive.

    Step 4: Boot from USB

    Insert the USB into the Surface.

    Hold Volume Down, press and release Power.

    Release Volume Down when the logo appears.

    Choose language and keyboard layout.

    Select Recover from a drive and follow the prompts.

    This will erase all data on the Surface. If you need to recover files first, consider professional data recovery before proceeding.

    Hope this helps! Let us know if you need more details or assistance.

    Regards,

    Rez

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  2. AI answer

    2025-11-07T03:53:21.58+00:00

    To reset a Surface Pro without the PIN or access to the Microsoft account, you can use a USB recovery drive. Here are the steps you can follow:

    1. Create a USB Recovery Drive: You will need access to another Windows PC to create a USB recovery drive. You can download the Windows recovery image from the Microsoft website and follow the instructions to create a recovery USB drive.
    2. Boot from the USB Drive: Insert the USB recovery drive into the Surface Pro. Power on the device while holding the volume-down button until the Surface logo appears. This will boot the device from the USB drive.
    3. Reset the Device: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the Surface Pro. This will erase all data, including the PIN and any accounts associated with the device, effectively restoring it to factory settings.

    If you are unable to create a USB recovery drive or if you need further assistance, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for additional options.

    References:

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

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