That could be corrupt files, a virus infection, or a Windows store cache problem. This page at Windows Report may help, and also this page at Reddit. Worst case scenario, as suggested in the MS forum, may be a clean install of Windows.

Thanks for your response. I will check out those links.

Happy to help out!

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@cameraz99 wrote:

I have a Dell XPS 8950. After installing the last Windows 11 update (KB5023706), my computer now requires a password for me to sign on. Months ago I had successfully disabled the password so my computer did not ask for it when I started it. But now it is asking me for my password again.

 

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Well, AFAIK ... on Windows-10 ... you have never been able to "disable the password". You can however create the proper settings to let Windows enter the password for you automatically.

Recently, this option was removed from Windows-10. Your old password should still work. IIRC, this functionality can be re-enabled with a Registry Hack.

Since it was removed in Windows-10, I think it's also removed from Windows-11. However, a similar Registry-Hack re-enables it there as well.

All that aside, if you have worked yourself into some kind of hole where your machine will no longer accept your password ... you will have to clean-install Windows .

"Windows Restore" hardly ever works for things like this. You should however be able to Re-Image it back to a working state if you have a Full-System Image previous created.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I was able to "disable" my password in the past using this YouTube tutorial:

Remove PIN, Disable Password, Windows 11

But I think there is something else going on here. I get a message saying "Unable to connect to network right now." According to the Microsoft troubleshooting page, this problem relates to the Microsoft 365 Apps. But I don't use 365 on my computer. Maybe I should try uninstalling them.

I've removed the P/W (or actually the need for it) on both W10 and W11.

I am on W11 and have installed the same update:

I have no problem am I am not asked for the P/W...

Check this link, https://www.minitool.com/news/netplwiz.html and it should help you, but you still need to know the P/W with it.

Thank you for your response. Yes, I used the netplwiz method months ago to successfully remove my password requirement (see my response to Tesla 1856). The things I changed remain in effect. However, when I installed a Windows Update last month, I am once again prompted for a Microsoft password every time I boot up my computer.

I uninstalled the Windows Update today, but am still being prompted for the password. It's a real pain.

< But I think there is something else going on here. I get a message saying "Unable to connect to network right now."

Is this a Local Account or an Online Microsoft Account?

But really ... which ever it is ... if you can enter the correct password at the Login-Screen and it is accepted ... there is not much wrong with either (if anything).

If you want to bypass the login-screen, sounds like you will need to redo the required steps.

Hi, thanks again. My computer is asking me to log in with my Microsoft account.

Also, when I went to "redo the required steps," they were already done from the previous time I did them. There was nothing to change.

Like I said previously, the "Unable to connect to network" has something to do with Microsoft 365 or the Microsoft Store -- according to what I read on the Microsoft troubleshooting site. However, I have uninstalled all the Microsoft 365 related apps, and it didn't fix the problem.

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@cameraz99 wrote:

But I think there is something else going on here. I get a message saying "Unable to connect to network right now."

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I did find what you might have found on the web, https://helpdeskgeek.com/office-tips/how-to-fix-we-are-unable-to-connect-right-now-in-outlook/ but is starts with "We are".... and that page has more than one thing to try.

Since I assume you are using the same PC to post here, you probably do NOT have a true Internet Connection problem. However, your Security Suite could be getting in the way as it is blocking something? I'd use the settings on the Icon in the Systray to make it 'sleep' for 10 minutes and try again. Also the Firewall put to sleep as well.

This site, https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/solved-cant-connect-to-this-network-error/ has some things you can also try.

I also wonder if you are mixing up with a re-install the two different types of Logins? MS and Local?

This explains the differences, https://www.makeuseof.com/ways-microsoft-and-local-account-different-windows/ 

I sort of suspect you created a LOCAL one, but on Outlook, you used the same ID/PW combo but it is an MS Login.

Can tell what you have and switch back, check this link, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/switch-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20 as I sort of feel you need to log into Windows with the same MS Account you used with MS originally?

@cameraz99  You could image each of the internal drives on this PC using Macrium Reflect (free). Save the image of each drive on an external USB drive. Be sure to include all partitions on each drive in its image file. That way you'll have everything backed up.

And then use Macrium to create the USB stick you'll need if you want to restore an image back onto the corresponding internal drive.

< I'm afraid I'm going to have to reset Windows,

I've yet to read a problem of yours that necessitates that, but you are welcome to.

< and hope that it doesn't delete all my files.

A full-format and clean-install is normally best anyway.

< I have most of my stuff backed up onto external drives,

Good.

< but I still have a lot of things in folders on my desktop.

Any folders can easily be copied somewhere safe. Remember, your C-Drive could crash tonight.

< It will take me a long time to back up all of that too ... a task I'm not looking forward to.

If you use a program like Macrium Reflect to create a Full-System Image (or full drive Image) with Verify-After-Creation ... later, individual files and/or folders can be easily be selectively restored.

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-General-Wiki/Guide-to-migrate-to-a-New-Windows-11-computer/ta-p/8307872

Thanks again. I am logging in with my Microsoft account, because that's what my computer is asking me to do. I use my Microsoft password.

Also, I do not use Outlook; I have different email client.

When I originally began having this problem, I got a different (besides the network unable to connect one)  confusing message, which I neglected to write down so I don't remember what it said.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to reset Windows, and hope that it doesn't delete all my files. I have most of my stuff backed up onto external drives, but I still have a lot of things in folders on my desktop. It will take me a long time to back up all of that too ... a task I'm not looking forward to.

Thanks, Ron. I will consider using Macrium if all other options fail.

Thank you. I will sleep on it tonight and decide what route I'm going to take.