Windows 10: I need a PIN to set up a new laptop

I have had a Microsoft account for a long time, but strictly from apple devices. My new laptop is a Lenovo, and uses windows, so it wants to use windows hello, even though I've signed in with the password. This requires a PIN, which I do not have, but attempting to set one up through my other devices fails, since it consistently wants to create a passkey; there is no option create or change a pin given.

:)

 

Cannot set up PIN after Creators Update

In this case, we recommend to repair and set up a new PIN by doing the following steps:

• Open File Explorer and browser to this location:
  

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC

• Delete everything within that folder. You must be logged in as the Administrator to do this.
• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options.
• Click Add a PIN again and set your PIN.
• PIN sign in should work moving forward.

Let us know if the steps above works.

 

Security changes requires set up of new PIN in Windows 11.

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

It's great to hear that you have managed to get your system back up and running, albeit with the hassle of reinstalling everything. Using a highly rated backup program is a wise choice to prevent similar issues in the future.

For future reference, and to help others who might face similar issues, here are some general steps and solutions for dealing with PIN reset issues after hardware changes in Windows 11:

Summary of Steps to Address PIN Reset Issues:

1. Use a Local Account to Bypass the PIN Reset:
   
   • Boot into Safe Mode.
     
   • Log in with a local account.
     
   • Remove or reset the PIN from Settings.
     
2. Enable the Hidden Administrator Account via Command Prompt:
   
   • Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
     
   • Activate the built-in Administrator account.
     
   • Log in as the Administrator and manage the PIN settings.
     
3. Use Another User Profile (if available):
   
   • Log in with another user account.
     
   • Manage the PIN settings from that account.
     
4. Use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
   
   • Access WinRE and perform a startup repair.
     
5. Use a Password Reset Disk (if previously created):
   
   • Insert the password reset disk and follow the instructions to reset the password.
     

Detailed Steps:

Here is a more detailed explanation of these steps:

Method 1: Boot into Safe Mode and Use Local Account

1. Boot into Safe Mode:
   
   • Restart your computer.
     
   • When the computer restarts, press and hold the Shift key and select Restart.
     
   • Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
     
   • Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
     
2. Log in with Local Account:
   
   • If you have a local account, log in using that account. This might bypass the PIN reset requirement.
     
3. Remove the PIN:
   
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
     
   • Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Remove.
     
4. Restart Normally:
   
   • Restart your computer normally and see if you can log in without being prompted to reset the PIN.
     

Method 2: Enable the Hidden Administrator Account

1. Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
   
   • Follow the steps to enter Advanced Boot Options as described above.
     
   • Press F6 to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
     
2. Activate the Built-in Administrator Account:
   
   • In the Command Prompt, type:
     
     
   • Restart your computer.
     
3. Log in as Administrator:
   
   • Log in using the newly activated Administrator account.
     
4. Reset the PIN:
   
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
     
   • Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Remove or add a new PIN.
     
5. Deactivate the Administrator Account:
   
   • After resolving the issue, disable the Administrator account for security reasons:
     
     

Method 3: Use Another User Profile

• Log in with another user account if available.
  
• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and manage the PIN settings.
  

Method 4: Use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

• Reboot your computer.
  
• Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
  
• Follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows attempt to repair startup issues.
  

Method 5: Use a Password Reset Disk

• Insert the password reset disk.
  
• On the login screen, click Reset password and follow the instructions.
  

If these methods do not resolve the issue, it may sometimes be necessary to use a fresh installation of Windows, as you have done. It's always a good idea to keep regular backups to avoid such scenarios in the future.

 

Why doesn't my pin work with the anniversary edition?

Hi Nancy,

We would like to know more about the issue. Before you had the Anniversary Update, were you using an 8-digit PIN?

For the meantime, we suggest that you remove the current PIN and create a new PIN. You can do that by following these steps:

• Select the Start button, type Settings, and select it from the list of results.
  
• Choose Accounts.
  
• Select Sign-in options.
  
• Under PIN, select Remove.
  

After you have deleted your current PIN, create a new 4-digit PIN by following these steps:

• Select the Start button, type Settings, and select it from the list of results.
• Choose Accounts.
• Select Sign-in options.
• Under PIN, select Add.

Once you have created your new 4-digit PIN, restart your computer and sign-in using the new 4-digit PIN.

Note: It is very important that you remove then create a new PIN rather than changing the current PIN.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards.