New Laptop Windows 8.1 help

[J_herb]

I just bought a new HP laptop with windows 8.1 and I messed up on signing up on Microsoft accounts and can't get into it and I tried to e-mail them but no luck, any ideas how to get a hold of them ?

[J_herb]

AsheGay,
my new laptop doesn't have a touch screen. just use desktop with a mouse. Thank you for your help

[J_herb]

OP here, thanks' to all of your ideas I have it fixed ( hopefully ).
I think that I did a new account and it didn't work with the two accounts. I couldn't do anything that had to do with MS., couldn't even get into my outlook e-mail or get updates and I couldn't even install my streets and trips. I still have a lot to learn (LOL for a 70 year old guy ) again thank you. Jay

[AsheGuy]

LittleBill wrote:
from my understanding at least on the rt tablet, you need the account if you want to use their app store

Microsoft is just going the way of Apple, Google, etc. Just like those two companies, the Microsoft account is the gateway to their app store, cloud storage, etc.

I am not a Microsoft fan, but I do have a Microsoft account on my desktop that has Windows 8.1 and where my gmail account gives me access to all things Google. That way I can at least be aware of MS's app store and cloud storage even if I don't use them.

The OP doesn't say if his new 8.1 laptop is a touch screen system or not, but if not you might be interested in StartIsBack or one of the other apps out there to make 8.1 default to a Windows 7 desktop and Start Button.

[strollin]

J herb wrote:

1492 wrote:
Are you using a Microsoft account or local password to login to your WIN 8.1 user account?

The only MS account that I had before the new laptop was a hot mail account. I was setting up the new laptop and was setting up a MS account and did something wrong ( don't know what I did )
I just did what sch911 said to do and will get a answer with in 24 hours. Thank You, Jay

Your Hotmail account was all you needed. There is no requirement to create a new account.

I've used Win 8.x and Win 10 with an MS account or a local account. Either way works fine. I prefer using a local account but like I said, it works fine either way.

I'm not sure why some people make a big deal about having an MS account.

For my Android phone, I have a Google account. When you use an iPhone with iTunes you have an Apple account. Why is it an issue to have an MS account?

[mileshuff]

Scrap 8.1 and install Win7! Free downgrade if you have 8 Pro.

I loaded XP on my new laptop as I need to run custom software that won't run otherwise...and yes, security updates are still available for another 4 years for XP if you know how to get them.

[J_herb]

1492 wrote:
Are you using a Microsoft account or local password to login to your WIN 8.1 user account?

The only MS account that I had before the new laptop was a hot mail account. I was setting up the new laptop and was setting up a MS account and did something wrong ( don't know what I did )
I just did what sch911 said to do and will get a answer with in 24 hours. Thank You, Jay

[1492]

You don't need to supply a Microsoft account to sign in to your WIN 8.1 device. You can use a local account id password.

[J_herb]

OP here, sorry that I haven't gotten back as I have been really busy
(life been in the way and I don't know what I am doing)
Thanks for your help and I am going to work on this tomorrow, and will let you know how it comes out. Jay

[LittleBill]

from my understanding at least on the rt tablet, you need the account if you want to use their app store

[1492]

Are you using a Microsoft account or local password to login to your WIN 8.1 user account?

[turbojimmy]

Campfire Time wrote:
The MS account isn't required, but they make it look like you need one. Best thing you can do once you get back in is to go to User Accounts and setup a local account and use that instead, just like Windows XP or Windows 7.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-switch-your-windows-8-1-log-in-to-a-local-account/

Agreed. They almost force you to have a Windows account. I don't want one. When setting up the new PC, click on the sign up for Windows account. On the next screen, in small writing at the bottom, it will say "continue without a Microsoft account". Very clever.

[Campfire_Time]

The MS account isn't required, but they make it look like you need one. Best thing you can do once you get back in is to go to User Accounts and setup a local account and use that instead, just like Windows XP or Windows 7.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-switch-your-windows-8-1-log-in-to-a-local-account/

[sch911]

Go to another computer. Open the browser and navigate to: https://account.live.com/resetpassword.aspx

Follow the instructions from there...

[wa8yxm]

Question: Did you set up the microsoft account BEFORE you got the new HP or later?

I got lucky, got the Microsoft account first, old computer was still able to log in, and from there I got the password back.