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Windows 11 is increasingly relying on the Windows Hello PIN as an alternative to the classic password when logging in. This should not only make logging in easier, but also improve security.
How to disable your PIN in Windows 11
In Windows 11, you will often be prompted to use a PIN instead of a password. However, not everyone wants to use this login option and prefers a different method. If you want to disable the PIN, follow these steps:
- Open Settings: Click the Start menu, and then select the Settings gear icon.
- Navigate to the sign-in area: Select Accounts, select Sign-in options, and then click Remove under Windows Hello PIN.
- Complete verification: Enter your Microsoft account password to confirm the change.
- Check restart: After a restart, Windows will no longer prompt you to enter a PIN.
- If the “Remove” option is grayed out, Windows might be forcing you to keep a PIN. This often happens if the option “For enhanced security, allow Windows Hello sign-in only for Microsoft accounts on this device” is enabled. This setting can be disabled in the advanced options. If that is not the case, you may need to make adjustments in Group Policy Management or in the registry.
Why is a PIN useful?
Before you disable the PIN, keep in mind that it is a secure and convenient login option for a number of reasons:
- Faster login: A short PIN, for example one consisting of four letters, is often faster to enter than a complex password.
- Device-bound security: Unlike a password, a PIN only works on the respective device. Even if someone knows your PIN, they cannot use it to log in to another PC.
- Integration with Windows Hello: The PIN for Windows 11 can be conveniently combined with additional security measures such as facial recognition or fingerprint recognition.
- If security is important to you but you don’t want to use a PIN, you should consider another authentication method, such as biometric login.
