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
    2018-06-01T19:05:46+00:00

    That universe has arrived. You can use your same password for the pin. It doesn't have to be a numeric pin.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-06-01T18:57:45+00:00

    There is no conceivable universe in which any PIN I am capable of remembering is more secure than the password I am using.

    I do not want to set a PIN.  If this is a deliberate design choice, reverse it.  It's a bad one.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-31T09:27:12+00:00

    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. That PIN is useless to anyone without that specific hardware. Someone who steals your password can sign in to your account from anywhere, but if they steal your PIN, they'd have to steal your physical device too!

    Even you can't use that PIN anywhere except on that specific device. If you want to sign in on multiple devices, you have to set up Hello on each device.

    source:

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

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-30T19:28:29+00:00

    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.

    How is a PIN MORE secure than a dedicated password.

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