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
    2018-05-20T23:26:14+00:00

    Something new, I just had to hit Cancel, set pin, Cancel, set pin like 200 times (Number might be exaggerated somewhat)  But I got a "Something went wrong" Message with a SKIP Button.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-09T15:01:47+00:00

    Even in all caps this is incorrect. The behavior is inconsistent. Of course it's a bug.

    It looks something like this:

    1. Skip link is there
    2. Use Microsoft Authenticator is selected
    3. Cancel using Authenticator
    4. Skip link disappears. Now you have to use a PIN even though you are back to square one.
    5. Start installation process all over.
    6. Skip link magically reappears again.

    I can't speak to builds used here after my build. It sounds like maybe they are moving towards removing the password option, although who knows because Microsoft takes two seconds to read an email before giving you some canned response.

    I would recommend just not using a Microsoft account. It is nearly useless anyway and likely to just get you locked out of your computer if somehow hacks it. Instead just use a local account and password. Microsoft is notorious for forcing it on people that they don't want because "it's in their best interest".

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-23T03:28:01+00:00

    In your OPINION it is more secure to log in with a Pin.  

    In my opinion, it is less secure to use a Pin, which is just 4 digits.  

    Many people forget a password if they don't have to type it in regularly.  If they only remember a Pin, then when their hard disk crashes they will not know their password and will be unable to recover their Microsoft account, programs and cloud files.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-05T23:20:50+00:00

    I have been through this process and I am not required to create a PIN:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/setup-configure-new-windows-10-pc-clean-installation/

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