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
    2018-08-22T17:23:06+00:00

    I ended up reinstalling Windows

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-14T03:10:09+00:00

    This is not a bug, but on newer builds of the installer it's required. Just turn on use characters and set you pin to your password then it doesn't matter.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-17T19:48:36+00:00

    I luckily decided to set it up using my phone's hotspot. So when it asked me to set a pin, I turned off my Hotspot. After a few seconds of loading it gave me an error and asked if I'd like to skip for now. 

    Workaround as of 10-17-2018.

    EDIT: I realize that this isn't the best option but it worked for me at least. A better option would be for windows to not force us to set one.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-10-26T06:23:13+00:00

    Repetedly hitting escape will work. Then it prints a word on the screen, very prominently, that i think is an acronim, and a **** one at that.  Starts with OMG. and goes on.  I think this is deliberate. 

    I spent an hour trying to get support to give me a clean ISO download, they kept transfering me, hanging up and telling me to just use the link and accept there media tool install on my machine, even though it was not my install machine.  Microsoft is harvesting our info and wants unlimited access, much like google.  

    Glad P Allen is dead, now if the rest of the board wouldb keel over, they might atualy pay taxes.

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