Windows 10: Password suddenly changed to PIN that was never set

Hello, while trying to access a very old Laptop to view old files and transfer them to a new computer I have discovered that it no longer allows me to input my password which I know and instead asks me for a PIN I know I have never set before. This laptop operates using an email I no longer have access to and it is very likely that this email simply no longer exists since it has been inactive for 2+ years. I have attempted to retrieve said email through 2 recovery forms with data I believe is relevant to the account but both were denied. I have attempted to input PIN's I have used on other d

:)

 

Setting PIN to default without changing password

Hello,

My computer was previously set to a default PIN but that changed suddenly for no apparent reason (I wasn't fooling around in settings or anything security related). I can't get it to revert back to the PIN being the default choice for login. Other forum
threads suggest removing that password but that is impossible. If you click change, it REQUIRES you to type in a new password and there is no option to remove or delete the password.

Furthermore, I use that password on my other computer rather than the PIN and don't want to delete it in the first place. So how can I set the PIN back to default?

 

Microsoft Account PIN and password

We appreciate the screenshot that you provided. to start troubleshooting the issue with you logins, we suggest that you follow the steps below on how login pin goes back to password:

• Click Start menu and go to Settings.
• In Settings, click the Accounts icon.
• Click on Sign-in options.
• Change both your password and pin one by one.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Windows 10 Change password to pin

Hi Ana,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I regret the inconvenience caused to you. Let me help you.



Please share the details.

• 
  Are you able to log in to your desktop?
  
• 
  Do you see any error code along with the error message?
  

I suggest you to go through the below steps and check if it helps.

Follow these steps to set up a PIN on your Windows User Account:

• 
  Press the Windows +S key combination to display the Search box.
  
• 
  Type the word pin into the Search box, then click
  Set up PIN sign-in.
  
• 
  Find the “PIN” section and click the Add button.
  
• 
  Type in the password for your User Account, then click the
  Ok button.
  
• 
  Select and enter a 4 digit numeric pin, then enter it again for confirmation.
  
• 
  Exit the PIN setup utility.
  

From now on you’ll be able to log in to your Windows account by entering your 4 digit PIN instead of your password.



You can change your PIN at any time by following the steps below:

• 
  Press the Windows +S key combination to display the Search box.
  
• 
  Type the word pin into the Search box, then click Set up PIN sign-in.
  
• 
  Find the “PIN” section and click the Change button.
  
• 
  Enter your Windows password, then click the
  Ok button.
  
• 
  Select and enter a new 4 digit numeric pin, then enter it again for confirmation.
  
• 
  Click the Finish button.
  
• 
  Exit the PIN setup utility.
  

Check if it helps.



I hope the information helps. Please keep us posted on the issue. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.

Thank you.