Windows Hello offers a convenient and secure way to log into your device using biometric recognition, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, or a PIN. While this method provides quick access, some users may prefer to disable the Windows Hello login PIN for various reasons – whether it’s for privacy, system customization, or troubleshooting. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of disabling your Windows Hello PIN in Windows 11 PC.
Remove Windows Hello PIN from Settings
If you’re not using a PIN setup, follow the below step to disable it.
- Press “Windows Logo + I” keys to open the Settings app. Alternatively, click on the Start Menu and select “Settings” from the pinned apps list.
- Click on “Accounts” section and choose “Sign-in options” under “Account settings”.
- Scroll down to the “PIN (Windows Hello)” section and expand it.
- Click on “Remove” button next to “Remove this sign-in option”.
- Confirm that you want to remove the PIN. You’ll be prompted to enter your password to verify your identity.
After confirming the removal, Windows will prompt you to restart your device. Once restarted, you will no longer have a PIN configured, and you’ll need to use your Microsoft account password or another method to sign-in to your device.
Disable Windows Hello PIN Using Group Policy Editor
This method is useful if you are using Windows Pro / Enterprise / Student edition and want to disable PIN login for all users.
- Open the Windows Run utility by pressing the “Windows Logo + R” keys on the keyboard.
- Type “gpedit.msc” in the box and click “OK” button.
- Expand “Computer Configuration” and then expand the “Administrative Templates” section.
- Find “System” folder and expand it.
- Double-click the “Logon” folder on right pane to display various policies related to system login.
- Find “Turn on convenience PIN sign-in” policy and double-click on it.
- On the pop-up that appears, check “Disabled” option.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” buttons.
- This will block all users on the device from using or setting up a sign-in PIN.
Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, users might encounter error messages when trying to remove the PIN. Common issues may include:
- Remove button grayed out – If the “Remove” button is disabled under PIN section, scroll down on the page and turn off “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended)” option under “Additional settings” section. Restart the device and login with another method. Now, go to Settings and you will find the “Remove” button is enabled.
- Using Work or School account – If you can’t remove your PIN, it may be because your device is linked to a work or school account with enforced security policies. In such cases: In this case, you might need to contact your IT administrator to remove or reset the PIN.
- This option is unavailable due to group policy – This could indicate that group policies are preventing changes to sign-in options (as explained above). You can try resetting your device’s group policies or consult with your network administrator. If you are using a local account, ensure you have the proper permissions.
Conclusion
Disabling the Windows Hello PIN is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps on Windows 11 PC. Whether you’re concerned about security, privacy, or simply prefer using a different login method, following these steps will help you manage your login preferences. Remember that above methods will only disable the PIN usage and you will be still able to use Face recognition or fingerprint options if supported by your device.
