Windows 10 Is Asking For A PIN To Login Instead Of Password

Windows 10 is one of the most popular and widely used operating systems and comes with several security features to keep your data safe. 

One such feature is the ability to log in using a password. Passwords are a convenient way to protect your data and important files, so users prefer using them over other security features like PINs or fingerprint locks.

However, some users reported that their Windows 10 system asked for a PIN instead of a password to log in. This issue could be frustrating, as you may not remember your PIN. In this article, we will discuss how to solve the problem of Windows 10 asking for a PIN instead of a password and provide step-by-step instructions to solve the issue.

How To Solve Windows 10 Is Asking For A PIN To Login Instead Of Password?

If you have set a password for Windows 10 login but are now prompted for a PIN instead of the password every time you return to the Start screen, you must disable the PIN. You can also remove this glitch by updating Windows 10 or restoring the system.

The main reason why your Windows 10 is asking for the PIN instead of a password is that you have set up a PIN during the Windows Hello menu. This PIN is considered safer and more reliable when Windows suspect any unusual activity. This PIN is also considered more secure than a password.

Remove The PIN

When you set up a PIN on your Windows 10 device, it is stored on your local device and is not shared with Microsoft. It means if you have set up a PIN during Windows 10 installation, only you know it, and it cannot be accessed by anyone else, not even Microsoft. So, you can also remove it whenever you want.

To remove the PIN, open the start menu and click the gear icon “Settings.” Here, go to “Accounts.” In the new menu, select “Sign-in Option.” In this new window, you will find the option of “Windows Hello PIN” Click on it. Now select “Remove” from the next option. Again, press “Remove” to confirm the command. After that, Windows will ask you to enter your administrator password to confirm the command.

Disable PIN From Group Policy

If you still have glitches and even after removing the PIN, your Windows often asks for the PIN, you have to disable the PIN from the group policy. Group policies are the settings that mainly deal with account policies such as passwords, account administrative tasks, computer configurations, computer components, and many other settings. 

To disable PIN from group policy, open “RUN” from the Windows start menu, type the “gpedit.msc” command, and hit enter. You will be redirected to the local group policy editor. Here, go to “Administrative,” then “System,” and “Logon.”

You will now find a list of system tasks on the right-hand side. Double-click on “Turn on convenience PIN sign-in.” You will be redirected to the options window. Select “Disable” here and press “Apply.” It will disable your Hello and Startup PIN. Now restart your PC, and your PIN will not appear again.

Check For Windows Updates

Updates are crucial for security purposes. Windows 10 often includes security patches regularly to protect our system from newly discovered vulnerabilities and threats. Failing to update your system can leave it at risk of malware, viruses, and other security threats. These threats may also cause errors in your passwords and PINs. So, always check for new updates.

To check for updates, open the start menu, search “Check for updates,” and press enter. Now, you will be redirected to the Windows Update menu. You must click the “Check for Update” button here. If there is an update, install it immediately to remove errors and glitches.

You can also check for the optional updates just below the update button. These updates are not essential, but sometimes they affect the system files indirectly. So, if you wind any optional update related to security, install it.

Perform System Restore

Attempting a system restore in Windows 10 can help you undo all the recent changes. Sometimes, we configure our system files wrong, resulting in several glitches. Frequently, we attempt to update Windows, but the new update often results in errors, especially if it is not installed properly.  

To restore, open the start menu and search “Run.” Open run and enter “rstrui” and hit enter. It will redirect you to the restore wizard. Now select next to see the restore points. Choose the point of restoration and follow the next instructions. The process will take a few minutes, and you can restore your system.

Run SFC Scan

If there is malware causing the damage, you won’t be able to detect it. Such malware or viruses cause system glitches like this PIN glitch. Moreover, system-damaged or corrupted files also lead to errors. We highly recommend running SFC (System File Checker) scan for both. It allows you to scan and restore damaged files by corrupt malware applications. 

To run the SFC scan, open the start menu and type “cmd,” right-click on the command prompt and run as administrator. Once in the command prompt, enter “SFC /scannow” and hit enter. It will take a few seconds to scan and repair the damaged files. Now restart your PC to get rid of the PIN error.

Is It Essential To Use PIN In Windows 10 When I Have Password?

It is not essential or compulsory to use a PIN in Windows 10, and you can use a password only to secure your account. But while a password provides a basic level of security, a PIN offers an additional layer of protection and makes it impossible to crack.

Unlike passwords, which can easily be guessed or stolen through phishing attacks or keyloggers, a PIN is a unique combination of digits, which makes it harder for hackers to steal. Additionally, a pin is short, making remembering and entering quickly easier.

Using both a password and a PIN can greatly increase the security of your account and protect your data and information from unauthorized access. Therefore, we recommend that you use both features.

How to Bypass PIN login to Windows 10?

Sometimes, we are the only ones who use the computer and don’t want to place passwords or PINs on our system. But the problem is that Windows 10 requires a password or a PIN to log in to your account. So, how can you bypass it? Here is a simple solution.

Open the Windows start menu, type “NETPLWIZ” and open the administrative tool. You will find a checked option on the top of the windows: “Users must enter a username and password to use the computer.” Now, uncheck the option to bypass the PIN. Restart your computer, and your computer will not ask for any PIN from you.

Is Windows 10 Password Same As PIN?

No, a Windows 10 password is not the same as a PIN. There are two ways to authenticate yourself and gain access to your Windows account. While a password is a longer sequence of characters you must type, a PIN is a shorter and quicker way to sign in to your account.

Windows 10 allows you to create a password and a PIN to log in to your computer. At the same time, both serve the purpose of giving you access to your device. A password is a sequence of any characters and alphabets you choose to secure an account. 

On the other hand, a PIN is your identification number, a four-digit code you can use as an alternative to a password. A PIN is quite an easy and convenient way to log in within a few seconds.

Conclusion

It is essential to remember that Windows 10 is a secure operating system that provides users with several data-protection features. However, Windows 10 may occasionally request a PIN instead of a password. 

This issue can be extremely frustrating for users who have never set a PIN or cannot recall it. Several solutions to this issue include disabling the PIN from settings, disabling it from group policy, and restoring the system. 

In addition, it is essential to keep your system up-to-date and run an SFC scan to ensure maximum system security. Lastly, a PIN is not required in Windows 10 if a password has been set, and it can be easily disabled by deselecting the “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer” option. 

By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily resolve the issue of Windows 10 requiring a PIN instead of a password to log in and protect your data.