What I Learned Today AboutMicrosoft Passwords and Pins

You may never need this information and I pray that you never do, but here are the lessons that I have learned in the last seven (7) hours as I simply turned on my computer this morning and attempted to enter it.

1. With Microsoft Windows, one can choose to have a shortcut version of one's password that allows one to enter one's personal computer. Months ago, I opted for the shortcut. This shortcut is known as one's "pin." I learned today that the "pins" wear out in time. I know this because (1) Microsoft "re-set" told me so in print; and (2) Mine wore out this morning.

2. Telephone a good friend who can get you into your personal email account and whom you trust to have them do it. Why? Because Microsoft told me in print that I needed to re-set my my "pin" and gave me no other options. It said it would mail me a code number that I needed to insert into the white box on the re-set page.

3. Try not to get discouraged when it acts like you've apparently not done it well because it is rejecting your efforts. Keep going in circles until at least one of the latest codes works. 

4. How do you know it works? The screen will say, "You're all Set" with regards to your pin. Even though it will require you to request yet one more attempt, that, for me, was the one that said "Please Wait" as the Microsoft Timing Circle appears under it. The screen will change but the same proclamation will come up and then within seconds you will be entered into your Windows OS. Even though you will not believe it, believe it anyway and return to the work you started the day before.

5. Be assured that this is the most secure system I have yet to encounter and rather than eliminate this initial password/pin, accept it and keep a copy of any list of phone numbers and emails which you may normally keep in your computer in case you need to contact a friend or a service person. If you choose to avoid the aggregations created for you and your friend or service person, eliminate the password/pin and you will be safe as long as your computer is not stolen. Should it be stolen, you will to contact your bank and each of your debit and credit cards so each will be diverted or closed should the one stealing it manage to make these discoveries.