Windows 10: windows 11 password changed to number only pin by itself. How did this happen?

I've used the same password for years to login to my PC dumb I know. I walked away from my computer for an hour or so and when I came back it had gone to sleep and lockedas usual. When I tried to login I could type any letters in the password bar. I couldn't login. Not even the on screen keyboard worked. Using my phone I spent the better part of an hour looking for solutions. I found a previous post saying it was because the password was set to pin. I used the forgot my password function to "change" it back to what it was. Everything works fine now. How the hell did this happen. I didn't c

:)

 

Windows 11 needs PIN - lost PIN & Password - Help!

To reset a forgotten PIN code, please complete these steps: (Require your phone number.)

Step 1: On the Windows 11 login screen, click “I forgot my PIN” under the PIN password box.

Step 2: Enter your user account password and then click “Sign in”.

Step 3: you need to verify your identity, choose a way to receive code and continue.

Step 4: If you choose your phone number, enter the last 4 digits of the phone number. Then click “Send code”.

Step 5: You will receive a code in seconds. Type in your received code and then click “Verify”.

Step 6: Select “Continue”.

Step 7: Type in a new PIN and type it again to confirm. Then click “OK”. The new PIN password is working now.

Step-by-step guide of resetting Windosws PIN code with screenshot can be found here. If this cannot work, you can try to register another Microsoft account to sign into your Windows 11.

 

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.

 

Forgotten PIN and expired password

Hi Dyari,

Thanks for your answer.

I tried steps of both links:

• #1: reset PIN code
  
  • I see no link "reset your PIN"on login page --> I can't reset it
    
• #2: change or reset windows password
  
  • My Windows account is not displayed at all on login page.
    
  • I am using a local account
    

If you have any other suggestion, I would be more than happy to try.

Regards,

Guillaume