Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10  

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    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10

    How to Reset the PIN for your Account in Windows 10
    Published by Category: User Accounts
    20 Sep 2020
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Reset the PIN for 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:

    When you sign in to Windows 10 with PIN, you only need to type your PIN number without pressing Enter.

    If you forgot your PIN, you can reset it.

    This tutorial will show you how to reset the PIN for your account in Windows 10.

    If you use your Microsoft account PIN to access games, social networking, or financial institutions, you'll need to log in from scratch in each of those places after your reset your PIN.

    If you are unable to sign in to Windows 10 with your PIN, you can click/tap on the Sign-in options link, and select to sign in with your password instead.



    Contents

    • Option One: To Reset PIN of your Local Account or Microsoft Account in Settings
    • Option Two: To Reset PIN of your Microsoft Account at Sign-in



    EXAMPLE: Sign-in to Windows 10 with PIN
    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-default_sign_in_screen.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    To Reset PIN of your Local Account or Microsoft Account in Settings


    1 Open the Settings app, 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 I forgot my PIN link. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-windows_10_reset_pin-1.jpg

    3 If your PIN is for a Microsoft account, then click/tap on Continue to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-windows_10_reset_pin-2.png

    4 Enter the password for your local account or Microsoft account, and click/tap on OK or Sign in. (see screenshots below)

    (Verify local account)
    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_local-3.png

    (Verify Microsoft account)
    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_local-4.png

    5 Enter at least a minimum 4 digit new 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.

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_local-5.png Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_local-6.png

    6 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.






    OPTION TWO

    To Reset PIN of your Microsoft Account at Sign-in


    You must be connected to the Internet to be able to do this option.


    Starting with Windows 10 build 18309, the streamlined Windows Hello PIN reset experience is now available on all Windows 10 editions.


    1 Click/tap on the I forgot my PIN link for your Microsoft account while on the sign-in screen. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-1.jpg

    2 You will now see the screen below for Just a moment.

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-2.jpg

    3 Enter the password for your Microsoft account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-3.jpg

    4 If you have two-step verification turned on for your Microsoft account, you will need to select how you would like to get a security code. Enter the required information, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-4.jpg

    A) Enter the code you received from Microsoft, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-5.jpg

    5 You will now see the screen below for Just a moment.

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-6.jpg

    6 Click/tap on Continue to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-7.jpg

    7 Enter at least a minimum 4 digit new PIN number you want for your Microsoft account, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-8.png

    8 You can now sign in to Windows 10 with your Microsoft account using the new PIN. (see screenshot below)

    Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10-reset_pin_for_micrososft_account_at_sign-9.jpg


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 13
    Windows 10 - 10547
       #1

    Thanks so much for this! I really liked the PIN option in Win8.1 and was frustrated when it stopped working for me in Win10b10074 and remained non-functioning in Win10b10130. It would not occur to me that I needed to pretend to have forgotten my PIN. Not intuitive for me.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Yeah, hopefully Microsoft will add a separate "Reset" button instead to help make it clearer. :)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #3

    There is no need to go through the reset procedure to change your pin. Simply go to settings> accounts > sign in options, and click on the change button, seen in the tutorial just to the left of the "I forgot my pin" link. You will be prompted to enter your current pin, the new pin, and confirm the new pin. This will change the pin for any devices that use the account to log on in Win10, or Win 8.1. It will not change the 4 digit numeric password us on the Win 8.1 phone lock screen, as this is not an actual log in. You have to change it manually in the phone's settings under change password.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    johnsonwilliam said:
    There is no need to go through the reset procedure to change your pin. Simply go to settings> accounts > sign in options, and click on the change button, seen in the tutorial just to the left of the "I forgot my pin" link. You will be prompted to enter your current pin, the new pin, and confirm the new pin. This will change the pin for any devices that use the account to log on in Win10, or Win 8.1. It will not change the 4 digit numeric password us on the Win 8.1 phone lock screen, as this is not an actual log in. You have to change it manually in the phone's settings under change password.
    Hello Johnson, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    The tutorial here is for if you forgot your PIN, and wanted to reset to change it instead.

    What you posted would be fine if you remembered your PIN and just wanted to change it like in the tutorial below.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #5

    Brink said:
    Hello Johnson, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    The tutorial here is for if you forgot your PIN, and wanted to reset to change it instead.

    What you posted would be fine if you remembered your PIN and just wanted to change it like in the tutorial below.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7...dows-10-a.html
    Actually, the thread plainly discusses pretending to forget your pin in order to change it. The tutorial seems to imply that this is necessary. My post is directed at the individual who specifically mentioned pretending to forget. If the tutorial is meant to teach how to reset a forgetten pin, it needs to be rewritten to make that clear.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    johnsonwilliam said:
    Actually, the thread plainly discusses pretending to forget your pin in order to change it. The tutorial seems to imply that this is necessary. My post is directed at the individual who specifically mentioned pretending to forget. If the tutorial is meant to teach how to reset a forgetten pin, it needs to be rewritten to make that clear.
    Sorry, I thought that I forgot my PIN would have been clear enough.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 135
    W10 Pro 1909 18363.476
       #7

    How do I reset a pin using a browser?
    the login for this PC is 2@ms.com for example
    i have an outlook mail account (meaning outlook.com) for that and a 2nd one 5@outlook.com
    How do i reset the pin for the 5@outlook.com? AFAIK I never created one. I have never logged into a PC with the 5@outlook.com account.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,545
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    ChrisPbass said:
    How do I reset a pin using a browser?
    the login for this PC is 2@ms.com for example
    i have an outlook mail account (meaning outlook.com) for that and a 2nd one 5@outlook.com
    How do i reset the pin for the 5@outlook.com? AFAIK I never created one. I have never logged into a PC with the 5@outlook.com account.
    Hello Chris,

    The PIN can only be reset from the local computer itself since the PIN is only valid on the specific local computer.

    You should be able to use option 2 for a Microsoft account though.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 135
    W10 Pro 1909 18363.476
       #9

    Brink said:
    Hello Chris,

    The PIN can only be reset from the local computer itself since the PIN is only valid on the specific local computer.

    You should be able to use option 2 for a Microsoft account though.
    It doesn't default to the account used for this PC? I have never used the 2nd account on a PC.
    Sorry if I'm not following.
      My Computer


 

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