Locked out of windows. No recovery possible.

[LoraElstadBello]

Problem. Husband somehow returned my laptop to factory settings. He doesn't remember how and is leaving it up to me. I know zero about computers and terminology. He set up a log in password to windows for me, but attached it to a non existent email address, so I have no way to change it through my usual windows acct. My relevant data is backed up on an external hard drive, which I can input as soon as I can unlock my laptop. I have tried a password recovery by pressing either esc repeatedly at the start or f9 or f11. Any of the f's, really. Nothing works. On my keyboard the f number keys are all small above another regular use for the keys, so I assumed I had to hold down control key. But, also tried without doing it. No HP recovery or manager popped up. I don't even get a forgot password? msg when inputting the wrong password. It says "You can't sign in to your pc right now. Go to account.live.com to fix the problem, or try the last password you used on this PC." That's the windows acct I can't change because it was attached to an invalid email address (husband mixed up my 2 email addresses together). I also tried having him download a password recovery on a USB drive, but nothing I press accesses it from the password screen. We have no money to buy a recovery disc & laptop warranty expired in 2015. Can't afford fee for HP agent assisted call, either, since warranty expired. Any help available or is my old laptop toast?

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

You have to start tapping the F11 key immediatley after powering on- NO control key- and it should boot into recovery. Some machines require tapping away on Esc key immediately after powering on but most will work with just F11.

Do you have Windows 8 or Windows 10?

Maybe this Guide will help:

http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&as=true&SFS=sdoc&section=ccweb

[LoraElstadBello]

Thank you for replying. Yes, I accidentally found out yesterday that I wasn't doing it fast enough. I waited for the screen to light up before. When I did it while the screen was black, I was successful. After realizing my mistake (always the simple ones get me! 😂), I was also successful in using F9 to bring up another menu & I did the factory settings reset, then added on my data from my external hard drive, as well. With my hubby's help, I set up myself as admin, with a password I am guaranteed to not forget & attached everything to my correct email address, but as a local acct, bcuz had trouble for some reason attaching it to my Microsoft account, even after changing my password there to something more memorable right at that part of the process, through my cell phone. Maybe there's a waiting period after a password change? Anyhow, thank you for your help.