How do I turn off PIN login on Windows 11?

KenRich 1234

Thanks, your answer steered me in the right direction. Now with the local account I do not have to enter a password or a pin. The path was a little different than what you described but was easy to find because of your explanation. Thanks again!

I, just within the last two hours, did a new install of Windows 11 22H2.

This is "Old School". In prior versions of Windows it was possible, but not explained, that when it asked for your name and to create a password, IF YOU IGNORED ALL THE REST OF THE LINES, and simply clicked next, it kindly ignored the requirement in the future.

No, if you ignore it in Windows 10 or 11, it will keep asking until you set up a PIN. You can then go to settings, turn of the requirement to use Windows Hello for Microsoft Accounts (as has been mentioned previously in this thread) then remove the PIN.
What happened in previous versions of Windows does not apply to the current versions.

Here's the key, under Accounts > Your info, there is a section called Account Settings. You probably originally entered or created a Microsoft account at installation. That set you up as part of a "community" called Microsoft Community (that may be less than secure) that theoretically could hack your computer. Changing that to a Local account says all you deal with is "local" (your own home) environment and no one else has access to it. The wording may not be exact, but the words should be clear.

not sure where you get this idea, using a Microsoft account to log in does NOT add you to some nefarious Microsoft Community.

You are posting in the Microsoft Community which is a peer to peer support forum.

Microsoft Community Frequently Asked Questions

It does not matter to anyone here whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account to log into your device.
no one here has access to your device or account and membership does not compromise your (or your devices) security in any way. Users are discouraged from posting any Personally Identifiable information.

You can leave the Microsoft Community anytime you want simply by deleting your profile.

A local account is not more secure. it simply means it it is local to the device. often users will make local accounts far less secure by making the password blank and allowing anybody to hack in or rogue software to do anything it likes.
To think that because it is local, no one else has access is completely wrong, if the password is weak and you spend any time online sooner or later it will be compromised.

whether you are using a Microsoft Account or A local account you need to have a strong password, to prevent rogue software or hackers using your account to cause problems.
this is not the same as removing the need to enter the password when booting or waking from sleep, which will still require physical access to the device rather than remote.

It tries to warn you about this, but continue and you'll finally be able to restart, start, switch user, etc. without having to deal with this issue.

Martmcd,

Using KenRich 123's explanation I was able to find a path to disable the need for a password or a pin when starting my laptop.

Are you saying that choosing to bypass the need for a pin or password is not a good idea with a local account?

I am not saying that bypassing the need to enter a password or PIN on boot or waking from sleep is a problem whether with a local account or a Microsoft Account.
[I do it with my Microsoft account, on the device that never leaves my house]

Blank passwords (which is not possible with a Microsoft account) are not a good idea, not only will it leave the device vulnerable but there are times when a blank password is not acceptable.

It is better to have a password and set it so that you don't have to enter it than to not have a password.
do not forget the password, there are some places where you must enter it (e.g. viewing other saved passwords in Edge etc)

Note -

setting up auto login, bypassing the need to enter the password or PIN boot, will allow anyone with physical access to the keyboard to access the data.

Blank passwords will a) allow anyone with the right expertise to access the device and data b) allow rogue software to use your account to do damage without being challenged for a password.

Martmcd's reply is par for someone dealing with normal Microsoft tech. It doesn't consider individual situations. No disrespect intended. I think a little more understanding is necessary.

Yes, it's dangerous if there is any real opportunity for someone else to access your computer, whether it's a Microsoft Community or a local group. But before you go further you have to define in your mind what those two options are. You should think of it as physical people, not as an online set of entities. The Microsoft Community or any other public community, by definition, has the potential for unauthorized actual people to have access to your computer. A local group is ONLY those people that have access to your computer. Understanding that prepares you for deciding to have some level of security at login or not. Remember, this has NOTHING to do with information hacking, viruses, malware, etc, that happens AFTER the computer is turned on.

No, Given the above, my computer is in my bedroom. I'm retired and almost always home. I'm alone. Can you imagine my local group of people (no one) having access actually posing a threat to my computer? Neither can I. For me, and others like me, it's ridiculous to have to deal with logging in, using a PIN or password every time I turn the computer on.