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.

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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.

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141 additional answers

Anonymous

2018-06-03T23:17:34+00:00

you're right, i didnt read what you wrote.

so what if you can use full character sets, call it a password then, a PIN is a PIN kapeesh.

language is important. PIN is misleading, and it asserts you use 'pin' providing behaviour

if someone asks me for a PIN i'll give them numbers.

am I going to read every document and setting ? no i have a life, and that's for the failing UX guys to balance out.
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Anonymous

2018-06-04T01:12:55+00:00

Yes I agree that PIN is poor nomenclature. I also agree that Microsoft has a history of forcing annoying stuff on people that they don't want.
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Anonymous

2018-06-10T09:12:13+00:00

hi i would also like to complain about this issue .. after resetting my pc tonight

i encountered this problem also . i do not want to use a pin.. but i am given no option to opt out of creating one..

later removing the pin takes me back to create a pin upon restart..

i dont want a pin, or a password to login.. i just want to turn my pc on.. and use it without interruption or nag screen..

there are numerous nag screens and adverts in windows 10 now, there never was in earlier versions of windows..

i think microsoft staff have lost touch with the end user.. there are too many rich people in boardrooms making decisions about things they know nothing about.. like what the end user really wants..

i just want to turn my pc on, and go straight to the desktop,

it used to be about experience.. now its just about advertising and money

windows 10 - score out of 10 = 6
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Anonymous

2018-06-10T19:49:35+00:00

I hate being forced into a pin as well when it is not needed. I have the feeling MS has taken the position that a few complaints far outweigh the benefits of a mandatory pin. They would rather see a few hundred complaints about the pin than have millions of people call in about their PC being hacked when a simple PIN was necessary and would have prevented the problem.
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