How to Enable Passwordless Sign-in in Windows 11

Why Do This?

You’ll want to switch to passwordless sign-in for Windows 11 because it makes your computer more secure by using Windows Hello, like your face or fingerprint, instead of a password.

Once you turn on passwordless sign-in, your apps and browsers that use your Microsoft account will automatically start using Windows Hello. Your passwords won’t work anymore for signing in to Windows.

Learn more: How to go passwordless with your Microsoft account – Microsoft Support and Go passwordless in Windows – Microsoft Support

What You Need to Know

Before you set up passwordless sign-in for Windows 11, remember you need to be an administrator on the computer, and some sign-in options will change.

When you turn on passwordless sign-in:

• The option to enter a username and password will be removed from the sign-in screen
• You cannot remove your PIN from your Microsoft account
• Password and picture password sign-in options will not be available

Option 1Use Settings

You can easily turn on passwordless sign-in for Windows 11 using ⚙️ the Settings app, as long as you’re signed in with your Microsoft account.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings by pressing ⊞ Win+I on your keyboard.
2. Click Accounts on the left side. Then click Sign-in options on the right side
3. Find the setting that says For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device. Turn it On or Off based on what you want.
4. Close Settings when you’re done.

Note: This setting will be grayed out if you don’t have Windows Hello set up yet. You need at least one Windows Hello option like a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint.

Option 2Use Registry Editor

⚠️ You’ll need administrator privileges for this.

Open the Windows Terminal app with administrator privileges and run the commands below.

To Turn On Passwordless Sign-in

This is the default setting.

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device" /v DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device" /v DevicePasswordLessUpdateType /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To Turn Off Passwordless Sign-in

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device" /v DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device" /v DevicePasswordLessUpdateType /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Summary

Passwordless sign-in for Windows 11 replaces passwords with Windows Hello, like your face, fingerprint, or PIN, making your device more secure.