How to login with a PIN on Windows 11 | Darren's Tech Tutorials

Stop Typing Your Full Password: Set Up a Quick Windows Hello PIN Login in Windows 11

Hi guys, this is Darren from Darren’s Tech Tutorials! We’re continuing our series designed specifically for Windows 11 beginners, and today we’re tackling a huge time-saver: ditching that long, complex password for a quick, secure PIN login.

If you’re tired of typing out your full Microsoft account password every time you boot up your PC, Windows Hello PIN is the perfect solution. It’s faster, incredibly convenient, and still offers robust security for accessing your device. Let’s dive right into the easy setup process!

Why Use a Windows Hello PIN?

A PIN (Personal Identification Number) provides a significantly quicker way to access your Windows 11 desktop compared to a traditional password. While it might sound less secure, the Windows Hello system actually ties the PIN directly to the specific device you set it up on, making it a highly secure, two-factor authentication method for that computer.

Ready to get started? Follow these simple steps.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Your Windows 11 PIN

We will be using the Settings app to configure this crucial security feature.

Step 1: Access Your User Account Settings

The easiest way to start is right from your desktop.

Click the Start Menu icon (the Windows logo) located on your taskbar.
Look for your User Profile Picture/Username located typically on the left side of the Start Menu panel.
Click on your username, and then select Manage my account.

Once the Settings window opens (it might prompt you about your Microsoft login, which you can ignore for this setup), you need to find the security settings:

In the Account Settings menu, look for and click Sign-in options.
You will see several options under ‘Ways to sign in.’ Look for the entry labeled PIN (Windows Hello).
Click on PIN (Windows Hello) to expand the menu, and then click the Setup button.

Step 3: Verify Your Identity

For security purposes, Windows 11 needs to confirm that you are the legitimate account owner before allowing a new sign-in method.

A prompt will appear asking you to verify your identity.
Enter your full, existing Microsoft account password in the required field.
Click OK or Sign in.

Step 4: Create and Confirm Your New PIN

Now for the final step: choosing your quick access code!

A new window labeled ‘Set up your PIN’ will appear.
Enter your desired numeric PIN in the top field.
Re-enter the exact same PIN in the confirmation field below.
(Optional but Recommended): If you wish to use letters and symbols in your PIN (making it even more robust), check the box that says “Include letters and symbols.”
Click OK.

That’s it! Windows 11 has now accepted your new PIN.

To ensure everything is working smoothly, it’s always best practice to test the new login method immediately.

We’re going to restart the PC to get back to the lock screen:

Click the Start Menu.
Click the Power icon (usually near the bottom right of the Start Menu).
Select Restart.

Once your PC reboots and reaches the login screen:

You should now see the option to enter a PIN, usually indicated by a number pad icon.
Enter the 4 or more digits you just set up.
If successful, you will instantly be logged in to your Windows 11 desktop—no long password required! Much, much handier!

Conclusion

Switching to a Windows Hello PIN is one of the easiest ways to improve your daily computing experience on Windows 11. It offers the perfect blend of convenience and security, letting you get to work faster every time you sit down at your machine.

I hope this tutorial was useful and helped you take control of your login process!

If this quick guide helped you set up your new PIN, please do me a favor and like this post! Don’t forget to subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more easy-to-follow Windows 11 guides. If you ran into any issues or have queries, please leave a comment below and I’ll certainly try to help! Thanks for watching!