Bug that forces you to set a pin when installing Windows 10

Anonymous
2018-01-05T17:52:41+00:00

You guys might want to step up your testing efforts. This is a pretty obvious bug IMO. To be clear, I want to use my password and not a pin. But the UI says, "We think you will like it."... well I don't. Normally there is an option to set a pin later.... Well, this goes away permanently if you initially try to authenticate using the Windows Authenticator app.

I am prompted to set a pin, with no button to skip or proceed without one. If I bring up the dialog and cancel, that doesn't help either... You are basically stuck on that screen. I can't finish the installation because the only option to proceed is to create a pin which will replace my password -- I don't want to do that. 

So to be clear:

Install Windows 10 and enter your name and password during installation... You can skip setting a pin.

Install Windows 10 and enter your name and then select authenticate with the authenticator... I successfully authenticate and then I am asked to set a pin. The option to skip is not there as in the first scenario. Starting the process over and entering a password instead does not help. It seems the option to skip is never available again. The only thing I could do was to wipe the install and start over.

Sure I could have set a pin and removed it later, but I didn't want to do that. I don't want it messing with my login. 

Also asking me to file an issue on connect is not going to happen -- sorry. If you guys want to take the time to file it, then go for it. Hopefully you guys will investigate.

Ironically even this forum has a bug... When you edit an issue -- it resets the Windows version and topic.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2018-05-11T22:28:29+00:00

Hi Arap,

Setting up a pin on your device makes it more secured. One important difference between a password and a Hello PIN is that the PIN is tied to the specific device on which it was set up. Read more in this documentation:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/hello-for-business/hello-why-pin-is-better-than-password

Thus, you still have option to remove it once you've done setting it up for the first time. Kindly follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Settings app, and click/tap on the Accounts icon.
  2. Select Sign-in options on the left side, and click/tap on the Remove button under PIN on the right side.
  3. Click/tap on Remove to confirm.
  4. Type in your Microsoft account password to verify, and click/tap on OK.

Additionally, you can refer answers mentioned in this thread:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/i-dont-want-a-pin-number/902c5b3d-42d4-4fc8-b34e-71200e0b362d

Let us know how it turns out.

Note: Microsoft has updated the information in this reply to benefit users facing this issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-18T17:45:52+00:00

    My issue,  I should not have to be forced to provide a PIN or PASSWORD if I choose not to.  I live alone and choose not to have a password or PIN, however, due to a recent hard drive failure, I was forced to reinstall Windows 10 on my new hard drive.  I have tried to remove the requirement of a PIN and it appears to work, however, the next time I start my computer, I am required to "create" a PIN.    I'm so tired of Microsoft trying to control my life.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-11-15T19:35:41+00:00

    Hi i’m trying to set up a new device for my daughter. We are waiting for the set up a pin screen to load but it is taking forever... whats the issue??

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T15:52:17+00:00

    Unacceptable. Poor design decision. You can hawk the merits, that is your prerogative. Forcing it while setting up Windows is 100% unacceptable.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-11-03T22:05:28+00:00

    The problem i have with having a larger attack surface (not that it matters with mimikatz capabilities and badusb) its not a ‘PIN’ if its a password, a PIN is numerical. I dont need to explain that to this forum but someone at microsoft might want to consider language 

    additionally, i just dont want it. Nor do i want to have to create a local account to negate the shitty force fed awful UX 

    reguardless of complexities, microsoft have removed skip/do this later ...obviously this platform is not used for user feedback

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