Skip to main content

How to turn off PIN on Windows if you don’t need the added security

Windows Hello is a convenient way to sign in to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device using a PIN, alongside other biometric options including fingerprint or facial recognition. It is an essential feature, especially if you have kids, live with roommates, or have sensitive information stored on your PC.

But if you are not worried about security or you just find entering a PIN every time you turn on your PC annoying, here is a step-by-step guide on how to turn off PIN on Windows.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • PC running on Windows 10 or 11

How to turn off PIN on Windows 10

Step 1: To remove the Windows Hello PIN from your Windows 10 PC, go to the Start menu and select Settings.

Screenshot of Windows 10 start menu.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Once the Settings window opens, navigate and select Accounts.

Screenshot of Windows 10 settings menu.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Select Sign-in options from the menu on the left.

Screenshot highlighting the Sign-on options on Windows 10.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Select the Windows Hello PIN option to reveal buttons to Change or remove the PIN.

Screenshot of Windows Hello PIN options on Windows 10.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Click on the Remove button. You should now get a confirmation prompt where you need to select the Remove botton again.

Screenshot showing Windows Hello PIN remove button.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: In case the Remove button is grayed out, switch off the toggle underneath the Windows Hello sign-in options that reads Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft Accounts.

Screenshot showing toggle to disable windows hello pin sign-in required for microsoft accounts.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 7: Once the toggle is turned off, the Remove button should no longer be grayed out.

How to turn off PIN on Windows 11

The process to remove PIN on Windows 11 is pretty much the same as on Windows 10.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Settings from the list.

Screenshot of the Windows Start settings on Windows 11.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Next select Accounts and select the Sign-in options tab.

Screenshot showing Accounts settings on Windows 11.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Under the Ways to sign-in section, select the PIN (Windows Hello) option and then click on the Remove button that is in front of the setting that reads Remove this sign-in option.

Screenshot of Account settings on Windows 11.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Just like Windows 10, if you have the Remove button grayed out, you need to turn off the Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft Accounts.

Screenshot showing windows hello pin remove button greyed out.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: You can find the toggle inside the Sign-options tab itself, placed under Additional settings.

Screenshot showing how to disable windows hello pin for microsoft account.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: Once the toggle is turned off, the option to remove the PIN should be available and no longer grayed out.

Step 7: Click on the Remove button and reconfirm your action on the following prompt.

You have now successfully removed your Windows sign-in PIN. If you happen to change your mind later, here is a guide on how to set up Windows Hello.

Editors' Recommendations

Kunal Khullar
Kunal is a Computing writer contributing content around PC hardware, laptops, monitors, and more for Digital Trends. Having…
How to delete Google Chrome on Windows and Mac
Google Chrome with pinned tabs on a MacBook on a table.

Google Chrome is a user-friendly web browser that is packed with useful features and intuitive controls. It’s also the default browser for pretty much any Chrome-branded product you purchase. Even if you prefer Safari or Firefox, we bet Chrome has one or two things you would dig. But what if you've added Google Chrome to your Windows or macOS machine, and you’ve decided you don’t like the dang thing?

Read more
How to automate tasks in Windows to make everything faster
The screen of the Surface Pro 9 on a table.

In daily use of Windows 11 or Windows 10, you might notice that a lot of the things you do are repetitive. As soon as you turn on your PC, you might end up launching a specific app like a web browser. You might even be launching programs in tandem, like Slack, Teams, and Microsoft Office.

If you're hoping to be more productive and save time, automating these tasks to happen on their own without a mouse click or a keyboard as soon as your PC boots up is something to consider.

Read more
How to uninstall Windows 11 and rollback to Windows 10
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Change is a constant in the world of technology, and operating systems are no exception. Windows 11, with its sleek interface and improved features, may have tempted you into upgrading to Windows 11. Yet, as with any change, there can be a multitude of reasons why you might want to revert to your previous OS or explore alternative options. In this guide, we'll explain how to uninstall Windows 11.

Whether you're facing compatibility issues, prefer the familiarity of an earlier Windows version, or simply feel that what was once the best desktop you've ever had has become the worst, we've got you covered.

Read more