How To Use A PIN To Sign In To Windows 10

Windows 10, the latest iteration of the Windows operating system, offers a bunch of methods to sign in to your account. You can use a traditional password, picture password, PIN, fingerprint scan, or face recognition (Windows Hello) to log in to Windows 10. Both Windows 10 Home and Pro editions support signing in with a PIN. In this guide, we will discuss what a PIN is and how to use it to log in to Windows 10.

While using a PIN, if you ever forget your PIN, you can still use the traditional password to sign in to your account. To sign in using your password, click Sign in options link that appears just below the PIN field, and then click on the icon on the right to see the password field. Enter your Microsoft account password, and then press Enter key.

The minimum length of the PIN is four numbers. However, we advise you to use a PIN with at least six digits. You can also include symbols and letters to make it secure.

Local account users, remember that you cannot add a PIN to an account that doesn’t have a password.

Add a PIN to your account in Windows 10

Complete given below instructions to add a PIN to your Microsoft account in Windows 10.

Step 1: Open Settings either by clicking the Settings icon on the Start menu or by using the Windows logo + I hotkey.

Step 2: Go to Accounts > Sign in options page.

Step 3: Click on the Windows Hello PIN section to see the Add button. Click on the Add button.

Step 4: You will be asked to enter your password. Type in your current account password and then click OK or Sign in (for Microsoft account) button.

Step 5: On the set up a PIN screen, enter a 4-digit PIN, and then click the OK button.

Note that the minimum length of the PIN is four numbers, but we advise you use 6-digit PIN to make it stronger. Using PINs like 0000, 123456, 654321, 0011, 1234, and 4321 is not recommended as using a commonly used PIN defeats the purpose of adding a PIN to your account. You can also include letters and symbols by selecting Include letters and symbols option.

From now onwards, on the login screen, you can type in the PIN to sign in to your user account. Interestingly, you don’t need to press the Enter key or click Sign in button after entering the PIN. As soon as you enter the last number of the right PIN, Windows will automatically begin the sign-in process.

To remove the PIN from your account

Please note that you must be using a PIN for your user account to use Windows Hello fingerprint. So if you remove PIN, the Windows Hello fingerprint feature will stop functioning.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click Accounts. Click Sign in options.

Step 3: Click on the Windows Hello PIN option. Click the Remove button. When asked, type your account password.

 

That’s it!