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

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.

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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
    2018-06-17T05:47:05+00:00

    Yeah, that's what I've been doing except I have an extra step. I am lucky enough to have a finger reader on my laptop... so I have to skip that before I skip the PIN <Removed>. I guess at this point there is no way around it. I just keep giving my feedback everywhere. :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-06-17T05:27:57+00:00
    1. Turn on Windows, see the cheerful promise I would like their Hello Windows, input on password, click OK.
    2. See a blue screen which give NO CHOICE BUT TO PROCEED TO CREATE PIN. Lovely.
    3. And get to input my password AGAIN.
    4. See a lovely box demand me create PIN with only CANCEL and OK choice. Choose CANCEL.
    5. Get back to the BLUE SCREEN. This time it have a tiny blue line "I do it later."
    6. Use computer. Shutdown and repeat from step 1.

    How wonderful. With this new process, I got going through 6 steps to log in, and need to input my password twice.

    And in case I create PIN and forgot it. And stupid enough to report so.

    1. Forgot PIN. Tell them so.
    2. See screen demand input password.
    3. See screen demand input 4 last number of phone. 
    4. Waiting for verification message.
    5. No message coming. Go back to previous screen and in put 4 last phone number to request new verification message.
    6. Repeat step 5.
    7. Repeat step 5.
    8. Repeat step 5. 15 min has passed
    9. Angrily power off computer.
    10. Turn on computer, log in with password.
    11. Remove PIN.
    12. Back to be greet with 6 steps after seeing  "We think you would love our Hello Windows!".

    Still 6 steps each time is much much better than 12 steps and a whole lot of TIME WASTED on that PIN promised that "I would love".

    Next, I would need to uninstall this OS. I would appreciate some recommend on whether Free DOS or Ubuntu is better.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-17T05:19:45+00:00

    Nice... I have tried the set a pin remove it and it didn't work - twice. My MS certified husband tried and I tried.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-16T22:14:56+00:00

    IT'S NOT A BUG - IT'S DELIBERATE

    Read this reply from May 6, 2018:

    Jesebel Ova replied on

    May 6, 2018

    Microsoft Agent <--- Paid Employee of Microsoft?

    Moderator

    In reply to sasul01's post on May 5, 2018

    Hi Sasul01,

    Setting up a pin on your computer will be much more secured especially when you're using a Microsoft account.

    Thus, the only option is to add, change and remove a pin in Windows 10.

    Feel free to get back to us if you need further assistance.

    There you have it. It's NOT a bug.

    This is a DELIBERATE ACTION by Microsoft to remove your personal choice

    regarding the use of their Software.

    I remember when software was designed for the End User, to make life simpler.

    True. They've shown again and again they don't care what WE want, only what THEY THINK we want.

    There is nothing quite like having a 16-digit, alphanumeric password with symbols, then being told to create a 4-digit NUMBER to access EVERYTHING Microsoft gets their greedy hands on.

    Can't stop the monopoly train from running, I guess.

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