- #Windows 10 pin login not working how to#
- #Windows 10 pin login not working full#
- #Windows 10 pin login not working windows 10#
- #Windows 10 pin login not working password#
Should someone steal that password, they could also log into your Outlook email, Xbox account, or any number of other Microsoft services.
#Windows 10 pin login not working password#
If you have to type that password to log in every time, it might tempt you to make it simple and weak. Thus, using your Microsoft password to sign into your PC is actually more of a risk. In addition, your PIN can't sign into your Microsoft account like your password can. Thus, if you set a PIN on your home PC and someone stole it, they couldn't access your account unless they had physical access to your device.
#Windows 10 pin login not working windows 10#
The best security feature of a Windows 10 PIN is that it applies only to one device it's only used on your computer, and never passed to Microsoft's servers. It's a fun novelty, but not particularly useful. This is a highly secure option but also requires you to buy the key and have it on you to sign in.įinally, Picture Password has you draw on a photo to unlock your computer. The Security Key option lets you sign in using a YubiKey or similar device. Feel free to use them if your computer has a fingerprint scanner or compatible webcam. While useful, those options require compatible hardware, which not every computer has.
If you use one of these methods, you'll also need to set a PIN as a fallback method. These include Windows Hello Face and Windows Hello Fingerprint, which allow for biometric security. On the Sign-in options page, you'll see several other options aside from PINs and passwords. You'll be prompted to enter your account password to do so. You can also click I forgot my PIN to reset it. If you ever need to change your PIN or want to remove it, you'll find those options on this page. That way, if someone stole your PIN, they wouldn't be able to break into other accounts.įor best results, choose a random set of numbers and commit it to memory-or store it in a password manager if you're worried about forgetting it. You should also avoid duplicating any other important PINs, such as your ATM PIN. Don't pick something common, like 0000 or 1234, and don't choose an obvious date like your birthday. Of course, you should be careful with the PIN you choose.
#Windows 10 pin login not working how to#
We've shown how to convert a Microsoft login to a local account if you're interested. Assuming you set a password, it's applied for only that machine and is not tied to any Microsoft resources. If you use a local account, you can decline to set a password (which is quite insecure). As a result, your PC password becoming compromised would pose a huge risk. Depending on how many of Microsoft's other services you use, this password could also protect your Skype, Xbox, and Outlook accounts. If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows, your PC password and your Microsoft account password are identical. This makes it convenient, but some people prefer to use a local PC account that's not tied to anything else.
It's required for many Microsoft services, and helps to sync your preferences across devices.
No matter if you use a Microsoft or local account to log in, you can supplement your password with a PIN.Īs we've discussed, there are pros and cons to signing in with a Microsoft account.
#Windows 10 pin login not working full#
It's easier to type than a full password, especially on a touchscreen device. Let's take a look at the Windows 10 PIN security feature, the differences between a PIN and password, and which you should use.Ī PIN ("PIN number" is redundant) is a series of digits that's you can use to log into your Windows 10 user account thanks to the Windows Hello feature. However, anyone can use a PIN (personal identification number) to protect their Windows 10 account.
These include facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, but those aren't available on some machines. In Windows 10, Microsoft provides several ways to log into your user account aside from a standard password.