PIN required for clean install of 17763.107 1809 build

Ztruker · 12 Dec 2018

Just did a clean install of the 17763.107 build, the December re-release of 1809 and I was forced to create a PIN, the menu actually said You must create a PIN. This really rots as well as being stupid. I don't want a pin, I want to continue to use a password as I always have. How can a pin be more secure than a password?

I know I can remove the pin following rink's tutorial How to Remove PIN from your Account in Windows 10 but that shouldn't be necessary. Microsoft should not be forcing me to create or use a PIN.

Porthos · 12 Dec 2018

- Click Start and search "Edit group policy"
- Go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon
- Double click on "Turn on convenience PIN sign-in" and select "Disable", then "Ok"

The PIN wizard should not longer appear when logging in

A Workaround to Disable PIN Login in Windows 10 / 8 | Password Recovery

Ztruker · 12 Dec 2018

I already got rid of it, my complaint was that it was REQUIRED during install. You can only use Group Policy Editor on Pro, not available on Home.

Bree · 12 Dec 2018

Ztruker said:

I already got rid of it, my complaint was that it was REQUIRED during install...

Did you use a MS account as the first account during setup? If so try using a local account instead, that shouldn't insist on a PIN (it never has for me). You can always change to using an MS account after it is all set up.

Ztruker · 12 Dec 2018

I used a MS account this time since it was a Laptop and I wanted to sync with my desktop and recently given away laptop.
I've done clean install with Local accounts and been able to bypass a PIN, I forgot about that, thanks.

Still, why are they forcing a PIN with a MS account? Makes no sense. Especially since they provide a very easy way to get rid of it. Just let me not create one in the first place.

Think I'll submit that to feedback.

Edit: Upvoted an existing feedback ad added a comment.

Bree · 12 Dec 2018

I always recommend using a local account for setup even if you intend to use an MS account. That way you can choose a sensible name for the User folder instead of getting stuck with the first 5 characters of the email address.

Berton · 12 Dec 2018

It's my experience a clean install wipes out everything on the drive which should also wipe out the Registry. A PIN can't be enabled until a Password has first been established. Leastways that has always worked for me. A Reset or Reinstall is a different can of worms.

Ztruker · 12 Dec 2018

Yes, password then I was forced to setup a PIN, no way around it.

Bree · 12 Dec 2018

Ztruker said:

Yes, password then I was forced to setup a PIN, no way around it.

I've just tested a clean install of 1809. With a local account you don't get asked for a PIN even with a password. You do get forced to choose three security questions though. To skip those, don't set a password. You can then set the password after you have signed in for the first time.

bro67 · 14 Dec 2018

MFA or Multi-Factor Authentication is starting to become the norm. I am only waiting for Apple to not allow certain sequences of characters to be used for their MFA with iOS devices.