I can't sign in to my microsoft account through my lenovo administrator

Aulia Zahra 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T03:48:25+00:00

So, for context, I got this hand me down laptop from my aunt. and this laptop is 2017 hardware. I tried several times for these past months, nothing worked. I tried to change my password over and over still can't, i tried using authenticator microsoft still can't. The strange part is, i can sign in to my microsoft account all over website using the same password, it worked. But strangely i can't sign through my lenovo administrator. Can someone know how to solve this frustrating problem

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in
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  1. Norah-L 10,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-17T08:17:22.5166667+00:00

    Hello Aulia Zahra,

    Since this is a hand-me-down laptop, Windows may still be tied to your aunt’s original administrator profile. Being able to access your Microsoft account online does not automatically give you control of that existing Windows installation.

    First, please try the steps suggested in the AI-generated answer. If the issue continues, I recommend asking your aunt to copy any files she needs first. Then use another working computer to create an official Windows installation USB. Insert it into the Lenovo, start the laptop, and repeatedly press F12 or Fn + F12 to open the boot menu. Choose the USB drive and follow the setup prompts to reinstall Windows.

    A clean installation removes the previous accounts, files, apps, and settings, allowing you to set up the laptop with your own account. If asked for a product key, choose I don’t have a product key. Windows may activate automatically afterward if the laptop has a digital license.

    Feel free to let me know how it goes after trying these steps, and I'll be glad to continue looking into it with you.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-17T03:48:45.18+00:00

    If the Microsoft account works on the web but fails when adding it in Windows on that laptop, the most likely issue is that Windows is asking for the current local Windows password, not the Microsoft account password.

    Try this in order:

    1. When Windows asks for the password a second time, enter the local administrator account password currently used on the Lenovo.
    2. If that local account has no password, select Next without typing anything.
    3. If sign-in still fails, restart the PC and make sure it is connected to the internet from the lock screen by selecting Network.
    4. If the device has multiple accounts, try signing in with another account from the lower-left of the sign-in screen, then review the existing accounts.
    5. If Windows sign-in options are failing, start the PC in Safe Mode with Networking:
      • On the sign-in screen, select Power > Restart while holding Shift.
      • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
      • After restart, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
    6. If the account itself is not being recognized in Windows, use the Microsoft Sign-in Helper to check the account and recovery status: Sign-in Helper
    7. If the username is not recognized or the password appears correct but still does not work in account recovery, use Recover your account and complete the security code flow: Recover your account

    Important checks:

    • Make sure the email address is typed with the correct domain, such as the correct Outlook, Hotmail, or Live domain.
    • If the main email alias is not recognized, try another alias or phone number already attached to the account.
    • If repeated failed attempts triggered a lock, use the Sign-in Helper instead of continuing to retry.

    References:

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

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