Hey everyone, I've run into a frustrating issue with my Windows 10 PC. After not using it for a few days, I tried to log into my user account, but it just keeps sending me back to the screen with the clock and some tips. I can't even enter my password before it closes. I do have another user account that I can access, but most of my files are on the one that's malfunctioning. Any ideas on how I can fix this or even transfer my files to the working account? Thanks!
2 Answers
It sounds like an annoying issue! Just to clarify, do you mean that you can't get past the login screen, or are you able to log in but only see a weird map screen with timezone options? If it’s the latter and you’re getting pushed back to BIOS, it might be time to replace the battery on your motherboard. That battery keeps your BIOS settings intact, including the time, and if it’s failing, it could cause those continual prompts. If you're actually running into a Windows issue, it could be some quirky problem or even malware blocking access. A fresh install of Windows 11 could be a good route, but check if your computer can support it—Windows 10 will stop getting updates soon!
My computer is too old for Windows 11, so that's a no-go for me. Any alternatives?
You could try booting your PC in safe mode to see if you have better luck logging in that way. Sometimes certain background processes or programs can mess with the login screen. If you manage to log in via safe mode, you can troubleshoot further or backup your files from there. If all else fails, having your files on an external drive before making drastic changes might be a good idea!
I attached a screenshot of the "clock menu" I mentioned, maybe it will help clarify! [link]