The sign-in options in Windows serve various purposes to reinforce your user account security and sign-in convenience. In this post from MiniTool Solution, we will tell you how to switch from PIN to password on Windows 11.

Difference Between PIN and Password

Windows 11 offers users kinds of login methods, such as a password, a PIN, or a security key. What is the difference between PIN and password? The main difference between a PIN and a password is that there is more flexibility when creating passwords. PINs are often related to the devices they use, whereas passwords are not.

In this way, if you happen to forget your PIN code and don’t have a Microsoft account linked to your devices, you might want to consider using a password instead. Therefore, the password could be your only way to access the device.

Read on to learn more about PIN and password, and how to change the Windows 11 sign-in options from PIN to password.

How to Change Windows Login from PIN to Password

It is difficult to change the login method to password login because of the usage of Windows Hello. If Windows Hello is enabled, you will not be able to use the traditional login methods. To enable a password login, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings from the context menu.

Step 2. Go to the left side and choose the Accounts option to open it. Then scroll down a bit to find and hit Sign-in options.

Step 3. To change your PIN to password, just need to remove it and the password that is set up on your account will be left. But click on the arrow icon of PIN (Windows Hello), and you can see the Remove button is grayed out.

Case 1

This is because the Windows Hello login-only option is only allowed for logging in to a Microsoft account on this device. This might make it a bit tricky to switch from PIN to password. This way, you need to disable this option marked in the following picture. The Remove button will not become available immediately so you can go to another page and then back to here. Now you will see the Remove button is highlighted. Simply click on it.

Then it will ask you if you are sure to remove the PIN and click Remove again.

Next, you need to enter your Microsoft account password and tap OK. You’ll be now asked for your Microsoft account password when you sign in.

Case 2

Another scenario is that the Windows Hello login-only option doesn’t show up or you’ve turned it off but still can’t click on the Remove button.

In this case, you should click on I forgot my PIN next to Related links. And a Microsoft account window will appear and you need to click Continue to go on.

It will ask you to set up a new PIN, but all you need to do is close these windows. Then you can see the PIN has been removed. So now it’s the same that Microsoft account password will be required when logging in.

If you’re logging into your PC with a local account, the steps are the same as above. After that, you can successfully sign in with password instead of PIN.

Also see: How to Solve Windows Hello Not Working – 5 Ways

Bottom Line

As you can see it’s quite simple and easy to switch from PIN to password on your Windows 11 device. Just check out this post and try the detailed steps introduced above.