This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password

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  1. RknRusty
    Posts : 38
    Windows 10 64bit
       New #1

    This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password


    This is my personal one-user PC. Upon booting, I usually enter a 4 digit PIN. This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password, the same one I use for live.com. I want to change it back, but am wary, as I've been confused with Windows passwords before.

    I just want someone here to confirm that if I use the PIN change shown in the picture, I am only affecting my device-specific PIN, and not anything else.

    Also, why would the update have changed my PIN anyway?
    Thanks,
    Rusty


    This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password-capture.jpg
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  3. Kari
    Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #2

    First, are you sure your PIN sign-in was disabled? Sometimes, especially after an upgrade Windows just resets the default sign-in method, switching back to Password sign in instead of PIN sign-in.

    In this case although Windows is asking for your password, it also shows a link for Sign-in options:

    This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password-image.png

    Clicking that link you can switch back to PIN sign-in:

    This week's updates changed my PIN to my Windows password-image.png

    Anyway, that being said, a PIN is only for that machine and has nothing to do with your Microsoft account nor does it change anything in your Microsoft account. Just enter your old PIN, set new one and you are done.

    Totally safe!

    Kari
    Last edited by Kari; 16 Mar 2017 at 11:49.
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  4. Plankton
    Posts : 2,075
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #3

    Hey Kari; I don't have any of those options on the sign in/log in screen.
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  6. Kari
    Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #4

    If you have both password and a PIN set correctly, your login screen always shows the Sign-in options link (first screenshot in my previous post).

    Clicking that link let's you then choose either Password sign-in or PIN sign in (second screenshot in my previous post).

    Always.

    Kari
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  7. Plankton
    Posts : 2,075
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #5

    Ahh...I don't use both. I just use the password.
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  8. Kari
    Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #6

    Plankton said:
    Ahh...I don't use both. I just use the password.
    This is not rocket science: If you only use one sign-in method, the Password method, you naturally have no options to choose, therefore you don't have any sign-in options. Link is not shown because there's nothing to choose.
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  9. Plankton
    Posts : 2,075
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #7

    Damn.....slow your roll.....I didn't know. I've only ever used a password to log in. So I never knew there was this screen. Sorry I freaking asked!
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  10. Kari
    Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #8

    No worries :)
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  12. RknRusty
    Posts : 38
    Windows 10 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Dang, this thread went zero to 100 in a short time Lol.

    Thanks, Kari. I don't remember if showed sign-in options. It's entirely possible I missed it. I was in a hurry when it happened, and there was a red message after my first failed attempt that said to use my same password that I use for live.com. So I did and it worked. But I'd rather use the PIN since my wife knows it.
    Now that you've assured me that the PIN is device-specific and not affecting my Wwindows account, I will change it back.
    Thanks,
    Rusty
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  13. RknRusty
    Posts : 38
    Windows 10 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    Okay, I'm back after rebooting.

    DUH! Yes, it does give me the choice of PIN or PW. So I didn't need to change anything.
    Thanks again, Kari.

    I have a Finnish acquaintance on another forum named Kari.

    See y'all next time I have a problem,
    Rusty
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