How to Set up PIN Security in Windows 11

The new PIN Security feature makes Windows 11 login quick and easy. Here is how to set up the PIN Security in Windows 11 properly.

To log into Windows, you need to provide the account password. However, in Windows 10, Microsoft added a new type of alternate login method called PIN Security with Windows Hello. Personally, it is one of the most useful features Microsoft added to Windows in a long while. When enabled, you can log into your user account with a simple PIN. You don’t have to enter the long and complicated user account password.

One of the best things about PIN Security is that if you don’t have other login methods like Windows Hello facial recognition or fingerprint, PIN Security is way more usable than the regular password. It makes the whole login process easy, fast, and just as secure.

Ever since the PIN Security authentication method was added, I’ve always used it and never returned to the regular user account password.

Generally, Windows 11 will prompt you to set up the PIN Security when you first install the operating system and set up the user account. If you skipped it for whatever reason, you can turn on PIN Security manually and configure it with a PIN.

The good thing is, the whole process is straightforward. I mean, you just follow the on-screen instructions, and Windows 11 will enable PIN Security for your user account with the PIN you provided.

Once done, you can log into your user account with that PIN. You can also authenticate yourself using that same PIN in other use cases.

So, without much delay, let me show you how to enable PIN Security in Windows 11 and set up the PIN Security in Windows 11 correctly in simple and easy steps.

Jump to:

1. Turn on PIN Security in Windows 11
2. Change PIN in Windows 11
3. Turn off PIN Security

Turn on & set up PIN Security in Windows 11

You can turn on PIN Security directly from the Windows 11 Settings app. It is pretty is to do. Let me show you how.

1. Launch the Windows 11 Settings app.
2. Select “Accounts” on the left panel.
3. Choose “Sign-in options” on the main page.
4. Click on the “PIN (Windows Hello)” option.
5. Press the “Set up” button.
6. Click the “Next” button.
7. Type your account password to authenticate.
8. Type a PIN in numbers in both fields.
9. Click the “Ok” button.
10. You are done; close the Settings app.

Detailed steps:

As always, the first thing to do is open the Settings app. You can use the “Windows key + I” shortcut or right-click on the Start menu and select the “Settings” option. You can also search for “Settings” in the Windows 11 Start menu.

The PIN Security is part of the Account Sign-in options. So, select the “Accounts > Sign-in Options” option after opening the Settings app. You will find the “Accounts” option on the sidebar and “Sign-in options” on the main page.

Under the “Ways to Sign-in” section, click on the “PIN (Windows Hello)” menu to expand it. Next, press the “Set up” button to start configuring the PIN Security in Windows 11.

(Optional) If you use a Microsoft account to log in, you might see a welcome screen. Press the “Next” button.

Windows 11 will prompt you to authenticate. Type the user account password and click the “Sign in” or “Ok” button depending on whether you use a Microsoft or Local account.

Now, type the PIN in numbers in both fields and click the “Ok” button. If you want to add alphabets and special characters, select the “include letters and symbols” checkbox. That being said, adding letters and special characters will defeat the easy-of-use purpose of PIN Security.

Finally, close the Settings app.

With that, you have turned-on PIN Security successfully and set up PIN Security in Windows 11.

Change PIN in Windows 11

If your Windows 11 PIN is compromised or you think the current PIN is too hard, you can change it with just a few clicks. Here is how to change the PIN in Windows 11.

1. Launch the Windows 11 Settings app.
2. Select “Accounts” on the left panel.
3. Choose “Sign-in options” on the main page.
4. Click on the “PIN (Windows Hello)” option.
5. Press the “Change PIN” button.
6. Type the old PIN in the first field.
7. Type the new PIN in the following two fields.
8. Click the “Ok” button.
9. Close the Settings app.
10. With that, you changed the Windows 11 PIN.

Detailed steps with screenshots:

Use the “Windows key + X” shortcut to open the Power User menu and select the “Settings” option. Alternatively, open the Settings app with a Start menu search.

After opening the Settings app, go to the “Accounts > Sign-in options” page. This is where you will find all the account sign-in options, including PIN Security.

Here, expand the “PIN (Windows Hello)” section with a click and then press the “Change PIN” button.

Now, type the old pin in the first “PIN” field. This is how you authenticate yourself.

Next, type the new PIN twice in the following fields and click the “Ok” button.

Windows 11 will instantly change the PIN as soon as you click the OK button.

That is it. It is that simple to change the PIN in Windows 11.

Turn off PIN Security in Windows 11

If you no longer want to use a PIN to sign in on Windows 11, you can turn off PIN security. All you have to do is, remove the PIN Security in Windows 11. It is pretty simple. Here is how to do it.

Important note: PIN Security is mandatory as an alternative sign-in method if you use Windows Hello fingerprint or facial recognition to sign in. You cannot remove or turn off PIN Security in that case.

1. Launch the Windows 11 Settings app.
2. Select “Accounts” on the left panel.
3. Choose “Sign-in options” on the main page.
4. Click on the “PIN (Windows Hello)” option.
5. Press the “Remove” button.
6. Press the “Remove” button again.
7. Type the “Account password” in the field.
8. Click the “Ok” button.
9. Close the Settings app.
10. With that, the PIN Security is removed and turned off.

Detailed steps:

Open the Windows 11 Settings app with the “Start key + I” keyboard shortcut. After opening it, go to the “Accounts > Sign-in options” page. Here, click on the “PIN (Windows Hello)” option to expand it.

Now, click the “Remove” button under the “PIN (Windows Hello)” section.

As soon as you click the button, Windows 11 will ask if you really want to remove the PIN Security. Click the “Remove” button again to confirm your action.

Now, Windows 11 will prompt your user account password for authentication. Type the user account password and click the “Ok” button.

Doing it will instantly remove and turn off PIN Security in Windows 11.

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That is all. It is that simple to set up PIN Security in Windows 11.

I hope this simple and easy Windows 11 how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.