When using a local user account with a password, the Windows 10/11 lock/login screen asks you to type the password. However, when using a Microsoft account, the login screen does not show an option to enter the password. Instead, you need to key in the PIN or use fingerprint/facial recognition to sign in.
By default, Windows 10/11 offers only Windows Hello sign-in options as they are more secure than a traditional password. Sign-in options like PIN, facial recognition, and fingerprint recognition can be used, provided your computer is equipped with the required hardware.
Using a fingerprint or facial recognition helps you sign in to your Windows 10/11 PC more quicker. Besides that, they are more secure than a password. That said, some users prefer typing the password on the login screen instead of a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
Luckily, both Windows 10 and 11 offer an option using which you can type the password on the login screen to sign in. Here is how to do just that.
Using password instead of PIN in Windows 10/11
Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
Step 2: Here, turn off the ‘For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device’ option.
Step 3: From here on, the Windows 10/11 login screen will display a Sign-in options link. Click on it and then click the password icon (refer to the picture below). Next, type your Microsoft account password and hit the Enter key to sign in.
Our how-to automatically sign in to Windows 10/11 guide might also interest you.
Tip: If you are using fingerprint recognition, you do not need to go to the login screen (the screen which shows your account name and asks you to type password/PIN). Instead, when you are at the lock screen, place your finger on the fingerprint scanner to sign in.
Peeved says
Sarah, I feel you. I went back and never went back, and am trying to setup Windows 11 for my aging parents. I’m like, is this just Stockholm Syndrome or something. How is it people put up with this crap decade after decade?
Joyce Richards says
Great but I can’t even get to settings from my sign in screen!
Sarah says
My computer is suddenly requiring a PIN, which I don’t know, instead of a password. This just started a few days ago – it has always allowed sign-in via password. So now I have to *choose* to put in the password each time. There is no way to turn off “Hello” in my settings, so how do I change the default back to Password so I don’t have an extra step every freaking time I sign in? This is the kind of thing that ruins my cool and makes me hate Windows more and more.