Skip to content
Follow
Windows

Set Up Picture Password in Windows 11

Richard
Written by
Richard
Jul 26, 2021 Updated Jul 14, 2026 3 min read
How to Control Windows Copilot Startup Settings
How to Control Windows Copilot Startup Settings

Set up a picture password in Windows 11 by picking an image and drawing three gestures on it to unlock your PC.

A picture password lets you use a photo instead of typing a traditional text password to sign in. You’ll interact with your chosen picture by tapping, drawing lines, and making circles to get into your computer.

This login option first appeared in Windows 11 version 22H2 and can be a faster way to access your device. You can create your gesture sequence using your mouse, touchpad, or a touchscreen.

You can set up a picture password for both local Windows accounts and your Microsoft account.

⚡ Quick Answer

To set up a picture password in Windows 11, go to Settings Accounts Sign-in options Picture password Add. Choose your picture, then draw three specific gestures on it. Confirm your gestures to complete the setup and use them to sign in.

How to setup picture password in 🪟 Windows 11

Setting up a picture password in Windows 11 lets you sign in by drawing gestures on a photo, which can be faster than typing a regular password. To set up your Windows 11 picture password, you’ll start by opening your computer’s Settings app. Windows 11 keeps most of its settings in one central location, called System Settings.

Windows 11 keeps most of its settings in a central location called System Settings. Here, you can manage everything from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows.

System Settings opens when you press the Windows key + I shortcut or click Start, then Settings. You can access this screen to manage your Windows 11 setup.

Windows 11 Start menu accessing System Settings
windows 11 start settings

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

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

Windows 11 accounts sign-in options screen
windows 11 accounts sign in options

Select Picture password to expand on the Sign-in options settings, and then click Add as highlighted below.

Adding a picture password in Windows 11
windows 11 add picture password

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

Welcome screen for Windows 11 picture password setup
windows 11 welcome to picture password wizard

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

Choosing a picture for Windows 11 picture password
windows 11 choose picture for picture password

Browse and select the picture you want to use. Then on the top right, click the link that reads "Use this picture," as highlighted below.

Confirming picture selection for Windows 11 password
windows 11 use this picture for picture password

You can now draw three gestures on the picture to set up your Windows picture password. You can use a combination of circles, straight lines, and taps for your gestures. You will need to remember the size, position, and direction of your chosen gestures.

When you successfully draw and confirm your patterns, Windows should accept them as your password. For this post, I drew three circles over both eyes and the nose.

Completed picture password setup in Windows 11
windows 11 picture password finished

Click Finish to complete the setup.

The next time you want to sign in to Windows, you'll need to confirm the correct patterns.

Logging in with picture password on Windows 11
windows 11 login with picture

That should do it!

In conclusion, using a picture password in Windows 11 offers a convenient and secure way to sign in to your device.

  • Using a picture password in Windows 11 provides a convenient and secure way to sign in to your device.
  • The process involves selecting a personal image and creating three unique gestures that are easy for you to remember.
  • Once set up, picture passwords eliminate the need for complex alphanumeric passwords.
  • This feature is available for both local and Microsoft accounts, enhancing user accessibility and personalization.
  • Remember to choose an image and gestures that are meaningful to you for easier recall during login.

Was this guide helpful?

Tags: #Windows 11
Was this helpful?
Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

📚 Related Tutorials

How to Add or Remove Passwod as Sign-in Options in Windows 11
Windows How to Add or Remove Passwod as Sign-in Options in Windows 11
How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Windows 11
Windows How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Windows 11
How to Manage Your Microsoft Account Passkeys
Windows How to Manage Your Microsoft Account Passkeys
How to Enable or Disable Sign-in to Microsoft Edge using non-Microsoft accounts in Windows 11
Browsers How to Enable or Disable Sign-in to Microsoft Edge using non-Microsoft accounts in Windows 11

6 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *