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

Anonymous

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.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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:

Open the Settings app, and click/tap on the Accounts icon.
Select Sign-in options on the left side, and click/tap on the Remove button under PIN on the right side.
Click/tap on Remove to confirm.
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.

0 comments

141 additional answers

Anonymous

2018-05-28T17:09:30+00:00
This is stupid but it seems it has to be done this way:
1. When Installing Windows, you must setup a PIN, the only way around it is if there is an error, so I just setup a PIN.
2. After Windows is installed, go into the Settings App->Accounts-> Sign In Options and remove the PIN
3. After restarting Windows, the password box that shows by default is to setup the PIN again, do NOT type your password into the box, you must first click this icon under "Sign-in Options" (Hopefully it is there for everyone)
1. Then Type in your password and it should log in without bugging you about setting up a PIN.
Now you need to check that this "Sign-in Option" is selected every time you type in your password, but it seems that it defaults to your previous selection on subsequent restarts so it hasn't been a problem for me.

Hopefully this helps for anyone that missed these new "Sign-in Options" buttons like I did.
Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-05-25T17:45:56+00:00

Actually, the article I found most useful was from Microsoft:

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

5 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-05-25T10:34:23+00:00

This is ridiculous.

Windows updated itself today and now instead of accepting fingerprint it asks for pin.

Now impossible to have fingerprint recognition without pin.

I am fed up with the MS parrotts who say 'pin is extra security'.. No. Additional ways in, such as pin are additional weaknesses!!

Fix this pin reduction in security.

stop giving me stuff i dont want.

stop changing my computer - do not think i have given you permission because i cant use my op without your updates.

why do you think my company computer is ms virus free and runs full lunux etc???
Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2018-05-20T17:30:06+00:00

Tried this, now EVERY TIME I START WINDOWS it will not allow me to access the desktop without first clicking "Next" when prompted to setup PIN, clicking cancel, then clicking "I'll do it later". How can I permanently disable login PIN? ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/8307ee72-e3df-44bc-899d-a1e55a87918d?platform=QnA
Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments