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Dave, Can you confirm a couple of things for me please, because what you need to do will depend on the end result you want to achieve. You say:<blockquote>I just want my old admin account and password again but have found no ways to disable all this nannying.</blockquote>But you also say:<blockquote>Beyond that, I go to set up a new PIN. And have the /NGC folder visible and I watch the OS attempt to create a PIN but then it disappears again. &nbsp;Unable to save.</blockquote> 1. So is it the PIN function you want to disable completely and log into your computer using a password you type instead or are you seeking to change the PIN to numbers you prefer? 2. Are you seeking to not be connected to Microsoft Online at all and log in using a Local Administrator Account rather than an online one? There are two ways to log into Windows 10 as an administrator. Using a "Local" account that does not connect you to Microsoft Online or give you access to OneDrive etc - OR - Using an Online Microsoft Account email address as your login account, in which case you would <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-or-reset-your-windows-password-8271d17c-9f9e-443f-835a-8318c8f68b9c" rel="ugc">change your computer's password online</a>. Which of the two scenarios are you wanting to end up with? Regards, Andrew
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Dave, Also, in the meantime, I'd recommend you also do the following to rule out any corruptions with your copy of Windows 10 as it sounds like there may be a problem in that respect. The following instructions have been quoted from an article I recently had published here: <ul><li><h2><a href="https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/36051/How-to-Keep-Windows-10-in-Tip-Top-Shape.html" rel="ugc">How to Keep Windows 10 in Tip-Top Shape</a>&nbsp; (More tips available in the article)</h2></li></ul> <blockquote>Verify your System File integrity with CHKDSK The Chkdsk command scans your computer's NTFS or FAT32 filesystem and checks the filesystem's integrity, including filesystem metadata. I always suggest running chkdsk in a "read-only" configuration first, i.e. without any switches, to check for problems. Adding switches such as the /F switch (i.e. chkdsk /f) will require the computer to be rebooted so that repairs can be conducted, even if no repairs were required. Here's how to run it:&nbsp; First, open up an Administrative DOS command prompt. Many ways to do this, but one easy way is: Press your Windows Key, type CMD and select Run as administrator. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1560994/13.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561424/1621398838431.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561424/1621398838431.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt to continue. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1560997/14.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561425/1621398838814.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561425/1621398838814.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> An Administrator: Command Prompt will appear. We will do our work here. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1560998/15.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561426/1621398838263.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561426/1621398838263.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> To run the chkdsk test, simply type the command chkdsk followed by your Enter key. Chkdsk will then commence examining your file system for any errors it can repair. &nbsp; Usually, you will get the message "Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems. No further action is required" as shown below, in which case you don't need to do anything else in this step. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1561000/16.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561428/1621398839226.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561428/1621398839226.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> If errors are found you will be advised to run chkdsk again with the /F switch. In this case, follow the instructions. Note that a reboot will be required after running the command chkdsk /f. In the next step, we will determine if any problems&nbsp;have developed&nbsp;with the Windows 10 protected system files. We do that with the SFC command. Check the integrity of Windows Protected System Files Still in the Administrative Command Prompt window, issue the following command. SFC /scannow Windows will now run a series of tests and make any necessary repairs if it finds a problem. In the example below, SFC reported that it did not find any integrity violations. That's a good thing. If it does find any, it will repair them and advise you of that once it completes its verification scan. No more to do with SFC for maintenance purposes now. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1561002/17.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561423/1621398838061.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561423/1621398838061.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> Maintenance Step 4. Use DISM to check for and correct system problems&nbsp; The <a href="https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/33424/Repair-Windows-10-issues-safely-using-the-Built-In-DISM-Command.html" rel="ugc">DISM command</a> is often used when a computer has problems like not starting up or starting up with errors, performing poorly, or giving unexpected and unexplained errors. It basically repairs Windows installations that tools like SFC and CHKDSK can’t fix. In such scenarios, the best option is to use DISM to attempt to repair any underlying issues. Its use is harmless so it is safe to use for routine maintenance. It can often do a lot of good by repairing errors that other repair tools can't fix. Note: There are many switches associated with running DISM, but we're only going to concentrate on two of them for maintenance purposes, namely CheckHealth and RestoreHealth. Here's how to use it... Still in the Administrative Command Prompt window, optionally issue the following command. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth&nbsp;and press the Enter key. <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1561004/18.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561429/1621398839277.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561429/1621398839277.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> Many people recommend using the CheckHealth switch, so I've included it here for the sake of completeness only. However, I don't trust the command because it typically runs for less than a second and has consistently reported "No component store corruption detected." even when there were problems. For this reason, I recommend always running DISM with the RestoreHealth switch instead of CheckHealth. Even if there are no problems, DISM will NOT do any harm, and the bonus is that if there are problems, then DISM will repair them for you. Since running DISM with RestoreHealth also does a health check, you only need to run this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth&nbsp;and press the Enter key You should get a result like the following which means all is now A-OK, and any errors have been corrected automatically: <a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w20/1561006/19.png" rel="ugc"></a><a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561427/1621398839141.png" rel="ugc"><img src="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2021/05_w21/1561427/1621398839141.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></a> Oh, and it doesn't take all that long to run, either. With a decent Internet connection expect it to take about 10 minutes or so.</blockquote> Would highly recommend you perform the above maintenance tasks. Hope that's helpful. Regards, Andrew 
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Chief Operations Manager

Eirman

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Hi Andrew, Thanks.&nbsp;&nbsp; Actually, I don't mind having and using the PIN, if it worked! &nbsp; I assume I need Microsoft Online because I'm using an Office 365 subscription, so it needs to check in to the mothership every once in awhile. I do also suspect the possibility of either a hard disk issue or some other form of corruption. &nbsp;I have tried chkdsk before, but it doesnt find anything. &nbsp;I did not know about these other diagnostics and will try them. My PC went into auto repair upon bootup loops several weeks ago. I tried a number of things and eventually gave up and did a boot from USB and a reload of the OS at that point. &nbsp; That was the first time a PIN was introduced to my life on this machine. Following that, it worked for a little while, and then stopped working, where I'm at today. I would consider replacing the hard drive with a new one, or even replacing the PC itself, but it's just not that old (3 years) and its only for "normal" home use (browsing, email,etc.) &nbsp;No high end stuff, no gaming, no heavy work-related stuff.&nbsp; Replacing the entire machine just seems so wasteful.&nbsp; The hard disk is at 100% almost constantly - esp upon boot up (and once I get past the No PIN, log in to Microsoft, try to create PIN, fail, skip to later cycle) I assume the HDD is getting slammed by virus scanning and windows updates. DISM sounds promising. Will these tests potentially tell me if the HDD is just plain going bad and needs to be replaced? Unfortunately, I'm at work now and not at home. so I'll try this stuff later tonight.&nbsp; 
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Easiest way to create a local user account and once done you should see the other user option. Are you using bitlocker?&nbsp; Does this require a PIN? from an administrative cmd prompt <pre><code class="code-1 nolinks" id="code-20-43290352-1">net user username /add
net user username password
net localgroup administrators username /add
</code></pre>
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Hi, I followed another Googled article and created a new user (using the UI, not cmd), but it didnt give me admin rights, so I couldnt do anything! &nbsp;It DID allow me to set up a new password, however, but the new user was not given admin rights. &nbsp; Thanks, this is helpful too. DOS commands are still the way to really get things done!
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president

Dave Roger

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Thank you Andrew and David, &lt;sigh&gt; &nbsp;i'm now not able to boot at all. &nbsp;when i power up, i get the HP logo and the windows spinner, and then a black screen with the mouse pointer. &nbsp;I need to break the boot-up and try to get to the windows diagnostics. &nbsp;it wasnt responding to my repeated pressing of esc upon boot. &nbsp;And I thought Windows 10 stopped allowing safe mode. &nbsp; So, i would have run the diagnostics and steps you both suggest, but now, cant even get to the "reset my PIN' sequence. &nbsp;
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I'm at home now and tried running some of the boot up diagnostics. The drive failed the hard drive short DST test. &nbsp;I have it running the long check now, but now assume this baby needs hospice.&nbsp;
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Ultimately the issue was a pending HDD failure. &nbsp;I spent a lot of time getting to that point. I am now installing a new solid state drive so, I hope, this whole episode will be done. I am still annoyed that I can't just instruct Microsoft to allow me to be administrator of my own machine and to stop watching over me. The price of life in the modern world I guess.&nbsp;
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<blockquote>Ultimately the issue was a pending HDD failure.</blockquote> Sorry to hear that Dave, but better to find out now than having it just die all of a sudden. How old was the drive? Hope you didn't lose any data. <blockquote>I am still annoyed that I can't just instruct Microsoft to allow me to be administrator of my own machine and to stop watching over me.</blockquote> That comment made me smile because your feelings are mirrored by many. If you don't like the level of Microsoft's protection of its OS though, I can almost guarantee you would hate macOS. With Macs, it usually boils down to doing things their way or the highway :-) BTW, thank you for the nice testimonial. Appreciate it. Best, Andrew
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Hi Drive was only about 4 years old. It's "just" my home/personal machine. &nbsp;It was acting up in March and I assumed it was a Windows Update behaving badly, so I was able to backup very nearly everything. &nbsp;I may be missing some non critical emails, but nothing serious. Now...time to rebuild. It's a pain. Yes I've heard that Macs are even more locked down to protect me from myself. Thanks for your good advice. I need to look into more of what you have published. &nbsp;There's a wealth of knowledge there. Dave&nbsp;
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IT Professional, Freelance Journalist, Certified Editor

Andrew Leniart

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Something happened to my windows 10 Pin. I've followed all the standard things to reset, to delete and re create the /NGC directory, create new account, etc. I hate this. I just want to have control over my own PC again. It's at home. Not corporate. But now I have to have this damn PIN and a Microsoft account. &nbsp;I just want my old admin account and password again but have found no ways to disable all this nannying. Beyond that, I go to set up a new PIN. And have the /NGC folder visible and I watch the OS attempt to create a PIN but then it disappears again. &nbsp;Unable to save. Informatively Microsoft says "something went wrong and we weren't able to set up your PIN" I'll say. Just stop already!&nbsp;
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Something happened to my windows 10 Pin. I've followed all the standard things to reset, to delete and re create the /NGC directory, create new account, etc.
I hate this. I just want to have control over my own PC again. It's at home. Not corporate. But now I have to have this damn PIN and a Microsoft account.  I just want my old admin account and password again but have found no ways to disable all this nannying.
Beyond that, I go to set up a new PIN. And have the /NGC folder visible and I watch the OS attempt to create a PIN but then it disappears again.  Unable to save.
Informatively Microsoft says "something went wrong and we weren't able to set up your PIN" I'll say. Just stop already! 

Windows 10 unable to setup PIN

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system featuring the "universal application architecture" (UAP); apps can be designed to run across multiple devices with nearly identical code, including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens. Windows 10 also includes a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, voice-based search (Cortana), new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.

Windows 10

This topic area includes legacy versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000: Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions including Windows Mobile.

Windows OS

Security is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, the software, and the information on them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. The main goal of security is protecting assets, and an asset is anything of value and worthy of protection.  Information Security is a discipline of protecting information assets from threats through safeguards to achieve the objectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability or CIA for short. On the other hand, disclosure, alteration, and disruption (DAD) compromise the security objectives.