Administrator question?

Thats why you never create a microsoft account.  If you cant get online you will NOT get into your machine because it requires you to be logged into the internet.

You will have to reset and create a local account with admin privalages and skip the sync and advertising and other JUNK that comes along with microsoft account.

They don't call it security for no reason.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026528

Thank you for your reply.

how do I reset  and create a local account please?

Sorry if dumb questions, I'm not very Technical with windows 10.

You have to re install using LOCAL account.

If you dont have access you will have to erase everything.

Otherwise you need reinstall DVD and a new blank hard drive to reinstall clean then recover the old drive via a dock.

https://www.neweggbusiness.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9B-32-350-238

Thank you I now realise what I might have done.

But how can I resolve this please?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-SEALED-WINDOWS-10-PROFESSIONAL-PRO-64-BIT-DVD-PRODUCT-KEY-OEM/143557842615?epid=1159458728&hash=item216cb6d6b7:g:68MAAOSwNKRecSFO - Just one idea.

My Win10 is linked to my Microsoft account.  My PC's are rarely online.  I don't need to be online to use pin # to sign into Win10.

Yes, you don't have to erase everything and make another account. Speedstep has a faulty installation or maybe he used bogus or cracked installation media. Microsoft accounts have worked perfectly for years.

He can simply re-install using valid credentials, pay for the software, and all will be well.

I've had Microsoft Outlook for a lot years.  I don't think one can just tell people to not have Microsoft accounts.

May be one of the links will help?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026196/windows-10-pin-sign-in-issues 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4490115/windows-change-or-reset-your-password 

https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+10+forgot+password&oq=windows+10+forgot+password&aqs=chrome..69i57.11137j0j9&client=ms-android-americamovil-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 

Windows does not require a microsoft account to activate.

Using a local account after activating without a microsoft account means you can get to your files

without needing to login online to a microsoft account.

This does not preclude you from having a microsoft account.

The reverse however means if you cannot get online you are locked out of your computer if you do not have a local admin account.

I have been a microsoft certified professional since before windows 1.0

Before Windows server it was IBM DOS and IBM OS2 and 3+OPEN lan manager.

Then they split and it became microsoft Windows NT and OS2 was dropped.

If you have activated a copy of windows RESET and Reinstall does not require buying a new licence.

Thats why OEM system builder DVD's work with the "I dont have a key option."

@ bradthetechnut

My PC is the Dell Optiplex790.

Windows 10Pro

240GBSSD + 500GB HDD

8 GB Ram

on board Graphics, but wanting to replace with low profile board.

I have kudos a couple of replies but couple of others won't let me?

I cannot Accept as Solution to any yet, as am trying to get my thick head around all the valuable information on here. Thank you guys.

I'll hopefully understand more when I read through it all, eventually.

May be I can simplify a little bit?

"If you have activated a copy of windows RESET and Reinstall does not require buying a new licence.

Thats why OEM system builder DVD's work with the "I dont have a key option."" - speedstep

Speedstep also suggested doing a clean install on a fresh ssd/hdd.  If you do that, then you would need a product key.  I linked a Win10 DVD with product key a ways above.

Without a product key, you can still use Win10.  But certain features won't be there and it will nag to activate.  I have not seen anywhere on the Microsoft site whereas a clean install can be done without a product key.  Otherwise, it'll be treated as an invalid copy.  I can't remember the exact word it uses.

If a Win7 product key was already used to activate Win10, I don't know that it can be reused.

Be sure to unplug your secondary HDD (used for storage I take it?) during any OS loads or reloads so you don't lose your files.

Please pardon different size text.  I can't control it in Android.  I do this from my phone.  Speedstep uses larger text and I pasted a quote of his.

"Speedstep also suggested doing a clean install on a fresh ssd/hdd.  If you do that, then you would need a product key.  "

No thats incorrect.

Machines with WIN7 COA can use that key to activate for HOME or PRO after getting online.

Machines with win 8.0 and up have the key in bios and therefore DO NOT NEED a key.

If it has been less than 180 days since going online and activating 10 you will not need a new key to put a blank hard drive and clean install.

Windows stays activated for the same machine.    The only reasons you need to buy a key are if you never had WIN7 or up key in the first place.

AKA you had XP or VISTA COA.