How to Create a Windows 10 User Account Pin and Login Easier

Last Updated on November 11, 2019

Windows 10 allows you to log in to your user account with a PIN instead of a Password. It’s a handy feature which some claim is more secure than a password being that many people prefer to simple non-secure passwords. Setting up a pin is simple if you know where to look so just follow the steps and in 2 minutes, you will be good-to-go.

Log Into Windows 10 with a PIN

Step 1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll down on the right side and click the Add button under the PIN section.

Step 2. Verify your account password (I recommend using a simple passphrase), whether you sign in with your Microsoft account or have created a local account.

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Step 3. Type in your PIN twice and click OK. That’s it. Now you just need to type in your PIN to sign in to your Windows 10 device.

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If you ever want to change it, head back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and select the Change button.

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If you are rocking Window 8.1 and want to create a PIN, read our article here.

5 Comments

Justin
I don’t get it. A PIN is just another password, in this case, it sounds like. What’s the diff? It would be easier to hack a 4-character PIN than a long password.
Does Windows automatically ask for the PIN instead of a password at the sign in screen?
Justin
Reply
- Steve Krause
  As Brian mentioned in the article. A lot of people use really bad passwords. They then use those passwords on all their accounts online and on their computer. All it takes is one website to get hacked and BOOM, you’re toast.
  So, in many cases, a simple PIN will be harder to guess than a password.
  Reply
Mabitse
I am unable to lock in to my laptop because I forgot my password
Reply
- Steve Krause
  Give this a shot. It’s a great article on how to recover/reset a lost Windows 10 password. https://www.groovypost.com/howto/recover-lost-windows-password/
  Reply
M
Step 3: “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”: that option is totally absent (on at least one of our computers).
Do you know how to fix that?
Reply