Solved msconfig boot settings sat to safe mode, forgot password

Nahrga

New Member
Messages
8
Hello there, I really need help here..

I've booted into safe mode in windows 8.1 by setting the safe mode option in msconfig..

However, when I booted into safemode i realized that I've forgot my password because i usually use a pincode.

How to I get it out of safe boot again? - I've tried to access command prompt, but everything needs that password.

Please help, is there any way to force it to boot up normally again? ;(

- Thanks in advance
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
When it reboots into normal mode, won't you still need the password?

Do you have the ability to boot into the recovery environment using the install media and not recovery media?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
When it reboots into normal mode, won't you still need the password?

Do you have the ability to boot into the recovery environment using the install media and not recovery media?

If I boot into normal mode I can login with my pincode. I've also reset and changed the password from Microsoft's homepage, so if I could get my PC to connect and update the known password, it could also work.

I can't boot into any kind of recovery, because it will still ask for my password :/
- By install media, do you mean a windows disk?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Yes, a Windows install DVD or flash drive. It will not ask for a password.

Someone else may know how to work with the pincode, use a local account with just a password.

[DEL]Have you given some thought as to what your password might be if you used something other than the Microsoft account password? [/DEL]

This probably has no effect in Safe Mode...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Yes, a Windows install DVD or flash drive. It will not ask for a password.

Someone else may know how to work with the pincode, use a local account with just a password.

[DEL]Have you given some thought as to what your password might be if you used something other than the Microsoft account password? [/DEL]

This probably has no effect in Safe Mode...

I have a Windows 8 disk at home, but I'll not be home before tomorrow.

A local account?

I've tried around 100 different passwords now, I'm ready to give up on that front :/
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you don't remember the password, try just hitting enter without entering any password.

The only way I know of to remove the safeboot option in your circumstance is to boot to the Install Media and run a BCDedit command. I just did it on my system so if you end up doing that way, we can explain how. I think an 8 or 8.1 media would work, but not sure if a Windows 7 one would, might not be worth taking the chance.

No one in your current location has an install DVD or flash drive?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
If you don't remember the password, try just hitting enter without entering any password.

The only way I know of to remove the safeboot option in your circumstance is to boot to the Install Media and run a BCDedit command. I just did it on my system so if you end up doing that way, we can explain how. I think an 8 or 8.1 media would work, but not sure if a Windows 7 one would, might not be worth taking the chance.

No one in your current location has an install DVD or flash drive?

No one at my current location got a DVD, so I'll just wait for tomorrow I guess.

It's a Windows 8 disc i got, hopefully it doesn't have to be a 8.1 disc :/

How do I run that BCDedit command? Is it by using command prompt from the Install Media? If so, what are the commands? :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
OK, boot the media in the UEFI mode and get to the first screen where it ask you to select a language. Hit Shift+F10 and open a command prompt.

Enter the command bcdedit and check the listing. The second grouping down, which is the Windows Boot Loader, should show the safeboot entry near the bottom. Make note of the identifier on that Loader, which will probably be {Default}.

Now run the bcdedit command again as shown.

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

After the command completes, you should then be able to reboot back into Windows. See the listing below for an example. There may be some differences in your listing since I took the one below from inside Windows but just changed {current} to {default} which is how it shows when you boot to the install media. If you have any questions, please ask.

X:\Sources>bcdedit

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume5
path \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
integrityservices Enable
default {current}
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.efi
description Windows 8.1
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {93c4a0a4-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
integrityservices Enable
recoveryenabled Yes
isolatedcontext Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
nx OptIn
safeboot Minimal
bootmenupolicy Standard

X:\Sources>bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
The operation completed successfully.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
OK, boot the media in the UEFI mode and get to the first screen where it ask you to select a language. Hit Shift+F10 and open a command prompt.

Enter the command bcdedit and check the listing. The second grouping down, which is the Windows Boot Loader, should show the safeboot entry near the bottom. Make note of the identifier on that Loader, which will probably be {Default}.

Now run the bcdedit command again as shown.

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

After the command completes, you should then be able to reboot back into Windows. See the listing below for an example. There may be some differences in your listing since I took the one below from inside Windows but just changed {current} to {default} which is how it shows when you boot to the install media. If you have any questions, please ask.

X:\Sources>bcdedit

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume5
path \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
integrityservices Enable
default {current}
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.efi
description Windows 8.1
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {93c4a0a4-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
integrityservices Enable
recoveryenabled Yes
isolatedcontext Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
nx OptIn
safeboot Minimal
bootmenupolicy Standard

X:\Sources>bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
The operation completed successfully.

Thanks!! It worked :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Glad it worked. :D

The info below is only for anyone thinking about using the same process. My assumption may not be correct, so it could be related to just my particular install.

This morning, the machine I ran the process on came up as unactivated with an error about the allowed number of Unlocks being exceeded. I had to call Microsoft and do the voice thing to re-activate, which was no problem. So possibly the process left some type of flag in the system and caused the situation. Since the install is only about two weeks old, I doubt the error represented a real situation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Hi Saltgrass. I was relieved to find this forum, and your solution above. I had exactly the same problem. Unfortunately, having done the edit as above, I'm now able to sign in with my PIN, but Win8.1 remains on a blue screen with my "user icon" showing and never finishes opening. And I still have no network connection, which was turned off when I first activated Safe Mode. So Win8.1 is starting, and appears to be accepting my PIN (the dialog disappears when the final digit is typed), but then goes nowhere. I've been on this for about four hours now, and I'm starting to get desperate!

Hoping you may have some further suggestions, and thanks in advance,

Allen


New: Turns out I can't get back into command prompt. The system always reboots and asks for my unknown obsolete Windows password. These password requests don't provide an option to use my PIN. Worse yet, even trying to reinstall Windows claims that I've run the DVD from Windows, and tells me to continue the update from within Windows. But of course I can't get into windows.

If I do a radical full install, will this wipe (or lock me out of) all the folders on all my drives? Or just those under my user account?

Desperate times. All help very much appreciated.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    12G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX580
    Sound Card
    Scarlett 2x2 USB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G 10krpm, 2 x 1T 7200
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Resolved.

A long tale of woe and 10,000 reboots later, I've managed to get the thing to boot correctly and I no longer need assistance. The process, however, was utterly amazing in its circular illogic. Almost as appealing as a train wreck.

Thanks to anyone who was about to reply.

Allen
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    12G
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX580
    Sound Card
    Scarlett 2x2 USB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G 10krpm, 2 x 1T 7200
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Registered to thank you both. I'm running Windows 10 pro and mark safe boot from msconfig. But when rebooting it does not recognize the PIN, ending in a loop. This helped solve it, so thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 pro
Hello Saltgrass,
I have the same exact issue as Nahrga. Followed the steps recommended, but when I type bcdedit into the command prompt is says "The boot configuration data store could not be opened. The requested system device cannot be found."

What are my options?

Up until I read this I thought the drive was locked due to lack of password. But if it worked for Nahrga without a password then it much be something else. I'm booting via install USB. Tried switching the USB slots and messed with bcdedit to figure it out, but still no go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
You need to run bcdedit from an Administrative Command prompt. It will give that message if run from a normal command prompt.

The original question was how to get out of Safe Boot mode. You have forgotten your password also? If you have it, use msconfig from Safe Mode to reset the normal boot mode. If you have lost it, you can try the instructions, but it does appear if you modify certain settings in the Boot Store, the system may require you to reset or reinstall the system. If you have no other options, I suppose that risk is acceptable.

It is too bad something was done to help folks who use PINS and have forgotten their normal password. I have never tried so you might check to see if there is something in your Microsoft Account which would allow you to recover your password if you have your PIN. It may take another system to sign into that account, if it is even possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Hey Saltgrass,

I ended up figuring it out. By accident actually. Once I disconnected my storage HDD, and left only my SSD with OS installed. the instructions you provided worked. I was able to boot into normal mode and use my pin to get back into my PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
OK, boot the media in the UEFI mode and get to the first screen where it ask you to select a language. Hit Shift+F10 and open a command prompt.

Enter the command bcdedit and check the listing. The second grouping down, which is the Windows Boot Loader, should show the safeboot entry near the bottom. Make note of the identifier on that Loader, which will probably be {Default}.

Now run the bcdedit command again as shown.

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

After the command completes, you should then be able to reboot back into Windows. See the listing below for an example. There may be some differences in your listing since I took the one below from inside Windows but just changed {current} to {default} which is how it shows when you boot to the install media. If you have any questions, please ask.

X:\Sources>bcdedit

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume5
path \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
integrityservices Enable
default {current}
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.efi
description Windows 8.1
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {93c4a0a4-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
integrityservices Enable
recoveryenabled Yes
isolatedcontext Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {93c4a0a2-40ee-11e3-845a-e199de5c7dd6}
nx OptIn
safeboot Minimal
bootmenupolicy Standard

X:\Sources>bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
The operation completed successfully.

Just registered to say thanks buddy, worked, I already started to think which hard drive to format and what files to lose, but this is brilliant! <3
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 64Bit
Thank you so much for the cmd instructions, you saved me! I had set up safe mode in msconfig to try and get dropbox to reinstall and....got locked out too. Hard on a tablet with no keyboard and that doesnt want to get into UEFI. Thankfully I found the solution here...now all OK, except I've given up on Dropbox!!
May you live long and very happily!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung Ativ tab 3 10.1
    CPU
    Dont ask!
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