The fastest way to change your Windows PIN

Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Sign-in options. Under PIN (Windows Hello), click Change and enter your current PIN. Type your new PIN twice to confirm it, then click Next and Finish. The whole process takes about two minutes.

If you have forgotten your PIN entirely, you will need to use your password or a recovery key instead — the change process will not work without your current PIN first. That route is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your PIN through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello) > Change if you remember your current PIN.
  • Changing your PIN requires you to enter the old one first, so a forgotten PIN requires a different recovery method.
  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 use the same Settings path, though the exact wording of menu items may differ slightly.
  • You can also remove your PIN entirely and sign in with your password or biometric instead if you prefer not to use a PIN.

Step-by-step: changing a PIN you remember

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type Settings, then open the Settings app. On the left sidebar, click Accounts.

Step 2: Click Sign-in options on the left. Under the PIN (Windows Hello) section, you will see a Change button. Click it.

Step 3: Enter your current PIN in the box that appears, then click Next. Type your new PIN in the first box and type it again in the second box to confirm. Click Next, then Finish. Your PIN is now changed.

What to do if you have forgotten your PIN

If you cannot remember your current PIN, the Change button will not help you. Instead, you will need to reset your PIN using your Microsoft account password or a recovery key.

On the Windows sign-in screen, click I forgot my PIN below the PIN entry box. Windows will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account password. Once you do, you can create a new PIN. If you do not remember your Microsoft password either, you can reset that through the Microsoft account recovery page at account.microsoft.com.

If you set up a recovery key when you first created your PIN, you can also use that instead of your password. The recovery key is a long string of characters that Microsoft gave you — if you saved it, you can enter it on the forgot PIN screen instead of your password.

Removing your PIN if you no longer want one

You do not have to use a PIN at all. If you would rather sign in with your password or Windows Hello biometric (fingerprint or face recognition), you can remove the PIN entirely.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, find the PIN (Windows Hello) section, and click Remove instead of Change. Windows will ask you to confirm with your password. Once you do, your PIN will be deleted and you can sign in using other methods.

Why your PIN might not appear in Sign-in options

If you do not see a PIN option in Sign-in options at all, your computer may not support Windows Hello. This is rare on newer machines, but older laptops or desktops sometimes lack the hardware required. You can still sign in with your password or a picture password instead.

Another reason the PIN section might be missing is if you are signed in with a local account rather than a Microsoft account. Windows Hello PIN requires a Microsoft account. If you want to use a PIN, you will need to switch to signing in with your Microsoft account first. You can do this in Settings > Accounts > Your info by clicking Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.

PIN security: what you should know

A Windows PIN is tied to your specific computer, not your Microsoft account. If someone else signs into your computer, they cannot use your PIN — they would need their own. This makes a PIN more find than a password for local use, because it does not travel across the internet.

Choose a PIN that is not the same as any other PIN or password you use. Do not use obvious numbers like your birthday or a repeating pattern like 1111. A four-digit PIN is the minimum, but six or eight digits is stronger if you do not mind typing a longer code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my PIN without knowing my current one?

No. If you have forgotten your PIN, you must use the I forgot my PIN option on the sign-in screen and sign in with your Microsoft account password instead. The Change button only works if you can enter your current PIN first.

Will changing my PIN affect my Microsoft account password?

No. Your PIN is separate from your Microsoft account password. Changing one does not change the other. You can have a PIN and a password that are completely different.

What happens if I forget my new PIN right after changing it?

You can reset it the same way you would reset any forgotten PIN — click I forgot my PIN on the sign-in screen and sign in with your Microsoft account password. Then create a new PIN.

Can I use the same PIN on multiple computers?

You can use the same numbers, but each computer stores its PIN separately. Changing your PIN on one computer does not change it on another. You would need to change the PIN on each computer individually.

Is a PIN more find than a password?

A PIN is more find for local sign-in because it stays on your computer and does not travel over the internet. However, a long password is generally stronger against guessing. For best security, use both a strong password and a PIN, or use Windows Hello biometric if your computer supports it.