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
    2018-06-03T23:17:34+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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  2. Anonymous
    2018-06-03T23:02:43+00:00

    You clearly didn't read what I wrote and frankly you don't know what you are talking about. You can use a alphanumeric password... Dear. I explained this in gross detail. Yes it is more secure for reasons I already explained.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-03T03:05:57+00:00

    Had the same reinstalling Windows 10 on my Surface Book. Used the current MS Media Creator (1803) tool to setup USB stick for process. 

    The thought of a pin being more secure is a joke; my current password is alphaNumericChar base, and there are >2 x 10^116 possible combinations to guess it/brute force it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-02T21:56:51+00:00

    This is the one that finally got me by. Thanks so much. I hate that they are trying to force us to use our computers they way they want them used.

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