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Using a PIN is more convenient and offers a securer way of logging in to the operating system. However, if you want to use a password or wish to lend your computer to someone for some time, it is necessary to learn how to remove a PIN from Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC and use it to temporarily or permanently get rid of this sign-in method.
Some other circumstances when you would want to disable PIN in Windows 10 or Windows 11 could be:
- You may want to use a physical key for signing in for enhanced security.
- You may want to use a biometric authentication method, such as your fingerprint or facial recognition.
- You doubt someone else knows your PIN and don’t want her/him to use it anymore.
Apart from the above reasons, there could be many more too. Nevertheless, the correct methods of how to turn off PIN from Windows 10 or Windows 11 are explained here.
In addition, you will also learn how to change or reset your Windows PIN if need be.
Note: If you lost Windows login password, learn how to bypass Windows 10 password here.
How to Remove PIN on Windows 10
You can disable Windows 10 Hello PIN using a few simple steps as long as you remember it. The process is given below:
Step 1: Get to the Settings Window
Click Start and click the Settings icon from the left pane to open the Settings window.
Step 2: Go to the Accounts Screen
Click the Accounts tile from the Settings window.
Step 3: Disable Windows 10 Hello PIN
Click Sign-in options from the navigation bar on the left of the Accounts window and click Windows Hello PIN from the right to expand the category. Click Remove.
Click Remove again on the confirmation box.
Enter your account’s password when Windows prompts, and click OK to disable PIN in Windows 10.
How to Remove PIN on Windows 11
Apart from a few modifications in the interface, the process for Windows 11 is identical to what is used to disable Windows 10 Hello PIN. The step-by-step instructions for getting the job done are given below:
Step 1: Go to the Settings Window
Click Start and click Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Sign-in options Screen
From the left pane of the Settings window, click Accounts, and click Sign-in options from the right.
Step 3: Remove PIN from Windows 11
Click PIN (Windows Hello) from the right window and click Remove.
Click Remove when the confirmation messages appear.
On the First, verify your account password box, enter your account’s password, and click OK to remove the PIN from Windows 11.
How to Change a PIN on Windows 10
Even to change a PIN in Windows 10, you must go to the ‘Windows Hello PIN’ option and get it done from there. The instructions are given below:
Step 1: Expand the Sign-in options Category
Use the process explained earlier to get to the Accounts screen, and from there, to the Sign-in options category.
Step 2: Reveal the Windows Hello PIN Options
From the right screen of the Sign-in options category, click Windows Hello PIN to reveal its options.
Step 3: Change Windows 10 PIN
Click Change from the Windows Hello PIN options.
On the Change your PIN box, enter your current PIN in the first input field. In the second and third fields, enter and re-enter the new PIN respectively. Click OK to change the PIN.
How to Reset PIN on Windows 10
If you are reading this, it means you have forgotten your Windows 10 PIN, or someone has changed it to steal your data or for other unethical reasons. Whatever the case is, resetting a Windows 10 PIN isn’t tough as long as you remember the password. This applies to both Windows local and Microsoft accounts you use to sign in to the operating system.
In any such scenario, according to your preference, you can reset or disable Windows 10 Hello PIN altogether.
The procedure to reset a Windows 10 PIN is explained below:
Step 1: Reveal the Windows Hello PIN Options
Use the process explained earlier to reveal the Windows Hello PIN options.
Step 2: Reset the Windows 10 PIN
Click I forgot my PIN.
Enter your local or Microsoft account’s password in the First, verify your account password box, and click OK.
In the fields present in the Set up a PIN box, enter and re-enter a new PIN and click OK to reset.
FAQs About Windows Hello Pin
Is Windows PIN secure?
If you use a Windows local account and don’t share your PC with anyone, a PIN to log in to the operating system would be convenient. Furthermore, if you configure Windows to accept alphanumeric characters as a PIN, your computer and data get safer.
Even in the case of a Microsoft account, Windows recommends using a PIN and also turning on the two-factor authentication to protect your account from information theft or unauthorized access.
I cannot remove the PIN from my Windows 10. What should I do?
If you can’t remove the PIN from Windows 10, you must check if you are entering the correct password for your account. If you are signed in with the Microsoft account and are sure you are typing it correctly, ensure that the PC is connected to the Internet.
Can I use the same PIN while changing or resetting the old one?
A short answer would be yes, you can.
However, if you already know your PIN, there is no point in resetting it in the first place. The same applies while changing it. If you want to change the PIN, you must use a different one, or else the whole purpose of this exercise would be defied.
Conclusion
If you want to use a password, a physical security key (via a USB drive), or your biometric attributes for authentication, you must know how to turn off PIN in Windows 10. However, Microsoft recommends otherwise. With that said, while you are more than welcome to learn how to remove PIN from Windows 10, you must get rid of it only when it is necessary.
