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To use a PIN instead of typing your password at Windows sign-in, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, select PIN (Windows Hello), choose Set up, verify your account, and create the PIN. At the next sign-in, choose the PIN icon and enter it. This PIN is a device-specific Windows Hello credential, not a replacement for your Microsoft-account password everywhere: you may still need the password for account recovery, some account changes, Safe Mode, or Microsoft services. Windows 10 and Windows 11 use the same basic path, but labels and available methods can differ because of account type, updates, and organization policy.
What does using a PIN instead of a password do in Windows?
A Windows Hello PIN replaces the password for routine sign-in to that particular Windows device. It is associated with one device and is separate from the password for the Microsoft account. Microsoft describes Windows Hello as a more personal and secure way to sign in to a Windows device, but the PIN does not become your universal Microsoft-account credential.
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Think of the PIN as a local sign-in method protected by the device. Your Microsoft-account password remains relevant for recovery, changing certain account settings, signing in to services that request the account password, and entering Safe Mode. If you use several Windows PCs, each can have its own PIN; creating one on one PC does not automatically create it on another.
How do I set up a Windows Hello PIN?
The setup process is nearly identical in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You need to be signed in to the Windows account for which you want to create the PIN, and Windows may ask you to verify that account before allowing the change.
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- Open Settings. You can open it from the Start menu or with the Windows key and the
Ikey. - Select Accounts, then Sign-in options.
- Under Ways to sign in, select PIN (Windows Hello).
- Choose Set up.
- Complete the verification prompt. Depending on the account and device configuration, Windows may request your account password or another verification step.
- Enter a PIN, confirm it, and complete the dialog. If Windows offers an option to require letters and symbols, that setting changes the allowed format; follow the requirements shown on your screen.
Lock the PC or sign out to test the result. At the sign-in screen, select the PIN sign-in method if another method is selected, then enter the PIN. The same Settings route works on supported Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations, although an administrator, an update, or an account type can hide or rename an option.
What should I do if Set up is unavailable?
First, check that you are in the intended Windows account and that the device is connected if Windows is asking for online account verification. Install available Windows updates and restart the PC. On a work or school computer, an administrator policy can control whether Windows Hello is allowed, so the absence of the option may not be something you can change yourself.
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At the Windows sign-in screen, select the account you want to use and then select the PIN icon or the text for the PIN method. Enter the PIN and submit it. If Windows displays the password method instead, choose Sign-in options and select the PIN icon; Windows can remember the last method used, so the icon may not be selected automatically.
A PIN is intended for that device. It does not let another person sign in to your Microsoft account on the web, and entering it into a Microsoft-account password field will not work. Keep the account password available even when daily sign-in uses the PIN.
What is the difference between a Windows PIN and a Microsoft-account password?
| Characteristic | Windows Hello PIN | Microsoft-account password |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Routine sign-in to the Windows device where it was created | Authentication for the Microsoft account and services, plus Windows sign-in when selected |
| Device relationship | Associated with one device; another PC can have a different PIN | Belongs to the account and can be used wherever that account accepts the password |
| Does it replace the other credential? | No. It changes the normal device sign-in experience | No. Creating or changing a PIN does not change the account password |
| Recovery at the sign-in screen | I forgot my PIN is documented for Microsoft accounts; otherwise use the password method and reset it in Settings | Use the account’s password-recovery process when the password itself is forgotten |
| Safe Mode | Unavailable | Required for sign-in |
The device association is an important security boundary. A stolen PIN does not directly reveal the Microsoft-account password, but anyone who knows the PIN can generally unlock that Windows profile on that device. Use a PIN that other people cannot easily guess and do not share it as if it were a service password.
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How do I change or remove my Windows PIN?
Change a PIN while signed in
- Open Settings.
- Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Select PIN (Windows Hello).
- Choose Change PIN.
- Enter the old PIN, then enter and confirm the new one.
A normal change requires the existing PIN. If you do not know it, use the recovery route rather than repeatedly guessing.
Remove a PIN
On the same PIN (Windows Hello) panel, Windows may provide a Remove command. Follow the verification prompt if it appears. Removing the PIN does not delete the Windows account or change its password. You are not required to remove the PIN in order to use the password method: both sign-in methods can remain available when the device and account configuration permit them.
How do I reset a forgotten Windows PIN?
When “I forgot my PIN” appears
At the Windows sign-in screen, select I forgot my PIN and follow the identity-verification steps. Microsoft documents this sign-in-screen recovery link for Microsoft accounts. The process can require access to the account’s verification method, so keep the relevant email address, phone, or authenticator available.
When “I forgot my PIN” is missing
- At the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options.
- Choose the password icon and sign in with the account password.
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Select PIN (Windows Hello), then use the available reset or change command to create a new PIN.
The missing link does not necessarily mean the account is damaged. Its availability depends on the account type and Windows configuration; using the password first is Microsoft’s documented fallback when the link is not shown.
Can I turn on passwordless sign-in for a Microsoft account?
Yes, Windows has a setting that removes the Microsoft-account password choice from the device’s sign-in screen. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, expand Additional settings, and turn on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device.
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This setting applies only to Microsoft accounts. After it is enabled, the next sign-in will not offer the Microsoft-account password. You must use an enabled Windows Hello method, such as the PIN or a supported biometric method. Before enabling it, make sure you know how to recover the PIN and that another authorized account or recovery route is available if the Hello method stops working.
Why is my Windows PIN not working?
PIN failures can result from a temporary sign-in problem, an incomplete Windows Hello registration, an update, or a policy that changed the available methods. Work through the least disruptive fixes first.
Retry after signing out or restarting
- At the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options and confirm that the PIN icon is selected.
- If the PIN is rejected, sign out if possible, restart the PC, and try again.
- Check the keyboard layout and number-row behavior if the PIN includes characters beyond the standard digits. Use the on-screen sign-in controls to avoid a physical-keyboard issue.
Re-create the PIN when Windows asks for it again
If Windows repeatedly asks you to create a PIN, follow the setup prompt once more. Microsoft also recommends checking for Windows updates. After updating, restart and test the PIN from a fresh sign-in rather than only unlocking the current session.
Use the password as a recovery path
When Windows Hello still fails, select the password sign-in option, sign in with the account password, and reset the PIN from Settings. This is especially important if the I forgot my PIN link is absent or the verification flow cannot complete.
Do not use Safe Mode to test PIN sign-in
Windows Safe Mode does not support PIN or biometric sign-in. Safe Mode troubleshooting therefore requires the account password. If a support instruction tells you to enter Safe Mode, plan to use the password method before restarting.
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What hardware is required for PIN sign-in?
A PIN needs no extra hardware purchase. It is independent of the camera, fingerprint reader, and security key options shown in Windows sign-in settings.
| Method | Extra hardware | What happens if the hardware is absent | Safe Mode availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIN (Windows Hello) | None | Works without a camera or reader when enabled | Not available |
| Face recognition | Hello-compatible infrared camera | Face setup and sign-in are unavailable without a compatible camera | Not available |
| Fingerprint | Built-in fingerprint reader or a supported external USB reader | Fingerprint setup and sign-in are unavailable without a supported reader | Not available |
| Physical security key | Compatible security-key device | The key method cannot be used without the enrolled key | Availability depends on the Windows sign-in context |
| Password | None | Remains the fallback when other methods cannot be used | Required |
Face recognition, fingerprint, and physical security keys are alternatives to a PIN. None is required to create or use a PIN.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do account type, Windows edition, and organization policy affect the PIN?
The exact controls shown under Sign-in options are not identical on every PC. Microsoft-account recovery is the scenario for which Microsoft documents the sign-in-screen I forgot my PIN link. Local accounts, managed work or school accounts, and devices subject to administrator rules can show different recovery controls or prevent changes.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 share the main navigation, but wording, placement, and whether a method is available can change with updates and configuration. On a managed computer, contact the organization’s administrator before removing or repeatedly recreating a PIN; policy may automatically require Windows Hello or disable a method.
What should I do before relying on a PIN every day?
- Confirm that you know the account password and can complete its recovery verification.
- Set up and test the PIN while you are still signed in, then lock and unlock the PC.
- Test the password sign-in option once so you know where it is under Sign-in options.
- Keep a recovery method available for the Microsoft account used by the device.
- Remember that Safe Mode requires the password, even when normal sign-in uses a PIN.
- On a work or school PC, check whether your administrator controls Windows Hello settings.
- Do not reuse a PIN that other people already know or can infer from an obvious pattern.
Which sign-in method should I choose?
Choose a PIN when you want fast sign-in without buying hardware and are comfortable keeping the account password for recovery. Choose face or fingerprint sign-in when the device has compatible hardware and you want a biometric alternative, but retain the PIN or password as a fallback. A physical security key is a separate option for people whose organization or account workflow supports it. The password remains the essential recovery method, particularly for Safe Mode and for situations in which Windows Hello cannot initialize.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Windows PIN on two computers?
A Windows Hello PIN is associated with the device where it was created, so setting one up on a second computer is a separate enrollment. The two computers can use different PINs even when they use the same Microsoft account.
Does changing my PIN change my Microsoft-account password?
No. PIN changes affect the Windows Hello credential for that device only. Your Microsoft-account password remains unchanged and may still be requested by Microsoft services or recovery screens.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Why does Windows ask for my password after I normally use a PIN?
Windows can require the password after certain recovery or security events, and Safe Mode does not accept PIN or biometric sign-in. Select the password method under Sign-in options, then return to the PIN after normal Windows starts.
Can an administrator disable PIN sign-in on a work computer?
Yes. Organization policy can change which Windows Hello methods appear or whether they can be created. If the PIN controls are missing or reset themselves on a managed device, ask the organization’s administrator rather than repeatedly deleting the credential.
Do I need a special camera or fingerprint reader to use a PIN?
No. PIN sign-in requires no additional hardware. A compatible infrared camera is needed for face recognition, and a fingerprint reader is needed for fingerprint sign-in; those are separate methods.
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