Disable Windows 10 Pro PIN complexity rules

I've searched everywhere, and I can't find an answer to this.

When I try to add a PIN, which is on a TEST laptop that I intend to use only for Insider builds, it complains that I have to "Provide a PIN that meets the complexity requirements. Your PIN can't be a common number pattern".

I've turned off all the other settings in the group policy editor, so that it's just a standard 4-digit pin. No history, no expiration, no requirement of letters or upper/lower case. BUT THERE'S NO SETTING FOR THE NUMBER PATTERN. I don't care if it's insecure. I want to log in quickly and simply just to test things.

How can I disable this? It was apparently recently added, as I've had a simple PIN for a while, but the latest insider build crashed my PC and I had to reset/revert it. And since it's a brand new install, it erased my existing PIN, so when I went to add it... I couldn't.

This is really frustrating. I understand the need for security for most people in most situations, but I'm not in any of those situations, and I really don't want to make up some new complicated PIN I won't remember or have to write down (defeating the purpose anyway). If I want my PIN to be "1111" or "2222", how do I enable this, and TURN OF the complexity and pattern requirements?

Also, most of the stuff I found was for domain-joined business computers. This is a stand-alone laptop running Windows Pro. No "Windows Hello", nothing fancy.

Help?

I have the IP on 2 Desktops, Windows 10 Pro Version 1703 Build 16199.1000, and have never seen the same problem. But because they are Test machines only [not production machines nor dual-booting] I don't 'customize' them, don't turn any of the features off so I can see how most users will see them. There is a newer Build available but am on the road this week and won't get it installed for a few more days. But you haven't listed which version of Win10 IP you have installed.

pmbAustin said:

I've searched everywhere, and I can't find an answer to this.

When I try to add a PIN, which is on a TEST laptop that I intend to use only for Insider builds, it complains that I have to "Provide a PIN that meets the complexity requirements. Your PIN can't be a common number pattern".

I've turned off all the other settings in the group policy editor, so that it's just a standard 4-digit pin. No history, no expiration, no requirement of letters or upper/lower case. BUT THERE'S NO SETTING FOR THE NUMBER PATTERN. I don't care if it's insecure. I want to log in quickly and simply just to test things.

How can I disable this? It was apparently recently added, as I've had a simple PIN for a while, but the latest insider build crashed my PC and I had to reset/revert it. And since it's a brand new install, it erased my existing PIN, so when I went to add it... I couldn't.

This is really frustrating. I understand the need for security for most people in most situations, but I'm not in any of those situations, and I really don't want to make up some new complicated PIN I won't remember or have to write down (defeating the purpose anyway). If I want my PIN to be "1111" or "2222", how do I enable this, and TURN OF the complexity and pattern requirements?

Also, most of the stuff I found was for domain-joined business computers. This is a stand-alone laptop running Windows Pro. No "Windows Hello", nothing fancy.

Help?

Use a Local Account.

That requirement changed: Windows 10 allowed any PIN in previous releases.

Kari said:

How difficult can it be to remember four digits? Or numbers like 1,000, 5,000 and so on? Those would be accepted as they are not all same digits nor consecutive digits.




This is default Windows 10 behaviour, nothing to do with Group Polices or registry settings. PIN cannot be all same digit or consecutive digits (ascending or descending):

Kari

The point is it HAS changed. I always had a simple PIN, that is now drilled into my muscle memory, and I don't want to change it because there should be no need to change it. I just want to disable this NEW requirement so I can continue using this test device for insider builds as I always have. And when I have a thousand things to remember already, adding one more is just not going to happen. Surely there has GOT to be a way to get around this stupid new enforcement...

I'm running Win10 Released/RTM Version 1703 Build 15063 on a few computers [Upgraded from Version 1607] and Win10 IP Version 1703 Build 16199 on 2 computers and have never had a problem with the PIN number, only use 4 digits.

1100 was as non-complex as Windows would allow, then I figured, screw it, just use a Local Account and sign in to apps individually!