Windows requiring admin password to install an app? - Used laptop

[Diddlydennis]

Bought an used laptop, however, its working fine but I think because the previous seller had to enter his MS account to get out of s mode to full Windows. That his details are left on there, its asking me for an admin password, the seller doesn't know it so not sure what to do?. Would a full reset remove his account and get it back to being a standard Windows default condition?.

[Eigenvektor]

I'd do a clean install on a used machine, just to make sure there's no weird stuff left on it. And to use my own license key, actually.

[Diddlydennis]

2 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

I'd do a clean install on a used machine, just to make sure there's no weird stuff left on it. And to use my own license key, actually.

Will do, can I just do a full reset and that remove the issue?

[Eigenvektor]

2 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

Will do, can I just do a full reset and that remove the issue?

Don't think so, since that should keep personal data intact and as such also accounts.

[manikyath]

7 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

Will do, can I just do a full reset and that remove the issue?

it should, depending on the type of reset. windows 10 can clean install itself, in case you're on win11 i assume that can  do this too.

[a whole chicken]

8 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

Will do, can I just do a full reset and that remove the issue?

Believe it'll work. I've been able to do it on a few Windows 10 machines. Just make sure that you back up any data YOU put on there if you need to.

[Diddlydennis]

So annoying, the seller is above aboard but he created an outlook account to get out of s mode. He didn't enter his personal details correctly so getting his account for the lost password has been difficult 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

5 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

So annoying, the seller is above aboard but he created an outlook account to get out of s mode. He didn't enter his personal details correctly so getting his account for the lost password has been difficult 

Create a Windows 11/11 Install USB, boot to in, delete all partitions and reinstall Windows from scratch.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows11

[Dedayog]

11 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

So annoying, the seller is above aboard but he created an outlook account to get out of s mode. He didn't enter his personal details correctly so getting his account for the lost password has been difficult 

Buying used laptops and desktops REQUIRES you to do a fresh install.  To do otherwise is just plain risky.  

 

Do you know there is no keylogger or other malware on the laptop?

 

Common sense.   Wipe ALL aspects of the previous owner.

 

That you're willing to just use it as is boggles me.

 

 

[jaslion]

36 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

Will do, can I just do a full reset and that remove the issue?

No full reinstall as in format the whole drive and start from 0.

 

 

[Diddlydennis]

31 minutes ago, jaslion said:

No full reinstall as in format the whole drive and start from 0.

 

 

why full format, I assumed the Windows reset and remove all files would be suffice?

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

7 hours ago, Diddlydennis said:

why full format, I assumed the Windows reset and remove all files would be suffice?

Because it'll ensure nothing from the previous install remains including programs and potentially malware. It's also a much quicker process than doing a Windows Reset for whatever reason. 

 

Malware can remain after a Windows reset. 

[jaslion]

22 minutes ago, Diddlydennis said:

why full format, I assumed the Windows reset and remove all files would be suffice?

No a ton is kept and if there is something malicious something as simple as a built in reset function isn't gonna do anything.

 

Also the reset function is straight up bad. It promises to be a fresh install but it basically keeps all the issues anyways and doesn't fix much.