How to Add a PIN to your Account in Windows 10
Windows Hello in Windows 10 enables users to sign in to their device using a PIN (Personal Identification Number). You can use this PIN to sign in to Windows, apps, and services.
One important difference between a password and a Hello PIN is that the PIN is tied to the specific device on which it was set up. That PIN is useless to anyone without that specific hardware. Someone who steals your password can sign in to your account from anywhere, but if they steal your PIN, they'd have to steal your physical device too!
Even you can't use that PIN anywhere except on that specific device. If you want to sign in on multiple devices, you have to set up Hello on each device.
For more information about PIN, see: Why a PIN is better than a password (Windows 10)
When you sign in to Windows 10 with PIN, you only need to type your PIN number without pressing Enter.
- You must add a password to your account before you can use any other sign-in options like PIN.
- Before you can use a fingerprint to sign in to Windows, you must set up a PIN.
- Before you can use a face to sign in to Windows, you must set up a PIN.
- If your PC is joined to a domain, then you will not be able to sign-in to Windows using a PIN by default unless enabled.
- The only way to set up your PIN again is to reset it, but you can change your PIN.
- Microsoft is working closely with their hardware partners to deliver Windows Hello capable devices that will ship with Windows 10 and are excited to announce that all OEM systems incorporating the Intel® RealSense™ 3D Camera (F200) will support the facial unlock features of Windows Hello, including automatic sign-in to Windows, and support to unlock “Passport” without the need for a PIN.
- When you boot to Safe Mode, you will only be able to sign in with your password, and not with any other sign-in option (ex: Fingerprint or PIN).
Starting with Windows 10 build 18995, Microsoft is taking another step forward in the Passwordless sign-in journey by adding Windows Hello PIN sign-in support to Safe mode, so that you no longer have rely on your password when troubleshooting your device.
This tutorial will show you how to add a PIN to your account in Windows 10.
Contents
- Option One: To Create and Add a PIN for your Local Account in Settings
- Option Two: To Create and Add a PIN for your Microsoft Account in Settings
- Option Three: To Create and Add a PIN for your Account from Sign-in Screen
EXAMPLE: Sign-in to Windows 10 with PIN
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Accounts icon.
2 Click/tap on Sign-in options on the left side, click/tap on Windows Hello PIN on the right side, and click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)
3 Enter the password for your local account to verify, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
4 Enter at least a minimum 4 digit PIN number you want for your account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
If you like, you can check the Include letters and symbols box to see PIN requirements.
When you set up Windows Hello in Windows 10, you may get an error during the Create a PIN step.
See: Windows Hello errors during PIN creation (Windows 10)
5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Accounts icon.
2 Click/tap on Sign-in options on the left side, click/tap on Windows Hello PIN on the right side, and click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
3 Enter the password for your Microsoft account to verify, and click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)
4 Enter at least a minimum 4 digit PIN number you want for your account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
If you like, you can check the Include letters and symbols box to see PIN requirements.
When you set up Windows Hello in Windows 10, you may get an error during the Create a PIN step.
See: Windows Hello errors during PIN creation (Windows 10)
5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 17083.
1 While on your sign-in screen, click/tap on the Windows Hello tile under Sign-in options. (see gif below)
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Domain Users to Sign in with PIN to Windows 10
- How to Change the PIN for your Account in Windows 10
- How to Remove PIN from your Account in Windows 10
- How to Reset the PIN for your Account in Windows 10
- How to Fix Unable to Add and Use PIN Sign-in Option in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable PIN Reset at Sign-in in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Require Digits for PIN in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Require Lowercase Letters for PIN in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Require Uppercase Letters for PIN in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Require Special Characters for PIN in Windows 10
- How to Specify a Maximum and Minimum PIN Length in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable PIN Expiration in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable PIN History in Windows 10
Add PIN to your Account in Windows 10
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New #1
Hey Shawn,
Did I hear correctly that using the PIN is more secure against attack than simply just a password? Let me know if you are aware of that..
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New #2
Hey Dusty, :)
That's the claim I heard made as well, but I'm not sure how a 4 digit PIN is more secure that using only a strong password, or a strong password with biometrics.
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New #3
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New #4
One reason the PIN could be seen as more secure is that it only works in conjunction with the device. You can't log on using a PIN through remote desktop for example - you need the PIN and access to the device. Windows 10: Security and Identity Protection for the Modern World | Windows For Your Business
The pin is also blocked after 5 attempts. A userid/password you could crack remotely (eventually) by brute force.
EDIT - @zooburner just said the same, sorry
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New #6
Hi, in this thread:
Windows 10 - Explorer won't access network drives, Windows 7 does!
it seems that using a PIN (or perhaps any form of Hello?) may prevent access to networked Win 7 PCs.
I've not come across this situation before, and don't know if it's a general case. If it is, would be worth a caveat.
Would be interested in your opinion/experience- thanks!
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New #7
Usually, you'll be prompted for a password with network sharing.
I wonder if having Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts turned on below may be affecting this.
Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts
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New #8
Dalchina asked me to look at this too, as he knows I have an eclectic collection of machines available, some with Win7
I've tested this with a W10 Pro 2004 VM and a Win7 VM. I've tried every possible permutation of setting up a PIN I could think of before connecting to the Win7 share.
- local account without PIN
- set PIN on local account
- switch to MS account after setting up PIN
- switch to MS account then set up PIN
Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts was turned on. In all cases I was challenged for a username and password, then successfully accessed the share on the Win7 machine.
In the thread dalchina referenced the OP posted a screenshot clearly showing they were being challenged for a PIN...
Don't think so, I can't reproduce it.dalchina said:
PS: the OP in that thread said that they "...switched from the pointless PIN login to password and all the shares work". That implies they were signed in with a local account, or had turned off Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts. When signed in with an MS account my option to remove the PIN was greyed out.
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New #9
Thanks Bree, seemingly a situation without obvious explanation - and if it's a one-off, not worth spending more time. User has a working configuration now, at least.
Add PIN to your Account in Windows 10
How to Add a PIN to your Account in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: User Accounts
20 Sep 2020
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