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:
- Why a PIN is better than a password (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
- Reset your PIN when you’re already signed in to your device | Microsoft Support
- Reset your PIN when you’re signed out on Windows 10 | Microsoft Support
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
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)
3 If your PIN is for a Microsoft account, then click/tap on Continue to confirm. (see screenshot below)
4 Enter the password for your local account or Microsoft account, and click/tap on OK or Sign in. (see screenshots below)
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.
6 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
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)
2 You will now see the screen below for Just a moment.
3 Enter the password for your Microsoft account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
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)
A) Enter the code you received from Microsoft, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
5 You will now see the screen below for Just a moment.
6 Click/tap on Continue to confirm. (see screenshot below)
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)
8 You can now sign in to Windows 10 with your Microsoft account using the new PIN. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- 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 Add a PIN to your Account in 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 Enable or Disable Domain Users to Sign in with PIN to 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
Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10
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New #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.
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New #2
Yeah, hopefully Microsoft will add a separate "Reset" button instead to help make it clearer. :)
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New #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.
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New #4
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
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New #5
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.
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New #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.
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New #9
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.
Reset PIN for your Account in Windows 10
How to Reset the PIN for your Account in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: User Accounts
20 Sep 2020
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