Securely Log into Windows 11 with a PIN

This post shows students and new users how to log in to Windows 11 with a secure PIN (Personal Identification Number) instead of a password.

Windows 11 allows you to sign in with a PIN. This personal PIN is a recommended, fast, and secure way to log in to your Windows device and access other apps and services.

Windows PIN is part of the Windows Hello security feature that enables other sign-in options. One can use a picture password, PIN, fingerprint, and face to sign into Windows. Hello, the PIN is secure because it is tied to the specific device on which it was set up.

The PIN is useless on other devices and only works on the specific device it was created on. Passwords can be stolen and used on any device with the same account. However, with PIN, it can only be used on the device it was created on.

When you want to set up Hello PIN in Windows 11, follow the steps below:

How to setup Windows Hello PIN in Windows 11

Windows Hello PIN is a feature that allows you to sign in to your PC with your identification number. You don’t have to remember the complex password anymore. Simply enter a PIN to sign in to your PC.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.

Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Accounts, and select Sign-in options on the right pane of your screen, shown in the image below.

On the Sign-in options settings pane, select PIN (Windows Hello) to expand and click Set up as highlighted below.

When you click Set up above, it will prompt you to confirm your password.

After confirming your password, click the left link to Choose a picture to use.

Once you type and confirm the password, click OK to complete the setup.

The next time you want to sign in to Windows, you must confirm the correct PIN.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Setting up a Windows Hello PIN is a simple and secure method for logging into your device.
• The PIN is unique to your device, enhancing security and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
• Utilizing a PIN allows for a quicker sign-in experience compared to traditional passwords.
• Windows Hello also offers alternative sign-in options such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning for added convenience.
• Remember to choose a PIN that is easy for you to recall but difficult for others to guess, ensuring maximum security.