How to unlock my computer

[Patty]

When I go to install software, I get an error msg telling
me that my computer is in use and locked. It asks me for
a password to unlock it. I never locked it (if I did it
was by accident) and don't know a password. What do I
do? Phone support at Windows is closed now until after
9am tomorrow (Sunday). Do I have to talk to someone
there?

 

[Colin Nash [MVP]]

Try entering nothing as your password. Just leave it blank.

If that's not the password to your account, look here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321305

Can you elaborate on what you mean when say that this happens when you try
to install software?

The screen you are seeing is what comes up when the password-protected
screensaver comes on, or when you manually "lock" the system (Windows Key +
L on the keyboard) to keep someone else from using it while you step away.