How to change PIN password on Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you change and reset your Windows Hello PIN, depending on the situation, and in this guide, you will learn how.

Windows 11 change PIN password
Windows 11 change PIN password

On Windows 11, when creating a new account, you are required to create a PIN that you can use as a password to sign in to your account.

However, your account gets compromised, or you want an easier set of numbers to punch in to sign in, it’s possible to change the Windows Hello PIN to something different using the Settings app. If you forgot your PIN or it stops working, it’s also possible to reset it.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to change the login PIN to something different on Windows 11.

Change Windows Hello PIN on Windows 11

To change the account’s PIN password on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Sign-in options tab.

  4. Click the PIN (Windows Hello) setting.

  5. Click the Change PIN button.

    Windows 11 change PIN

  6. Confirm the account’s current PIN.

  7. Create the new PIN.

    Create new PIN

  8. Confirm the new PIN.

  9. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the new PIN will apply to your Windows 11 account. You can test it by signing out and signing in back in.

Reset Windows Hello PIN on Windows 11

If you forgot your PIN or stopped working, you can reset the PIN. However, you should only use this option as the last resort since this process will require you to sign in again, and data that is managed by your organization might be lost.

To reset your account PIN on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Sign-in options tab.

  4. Click the PIN (Windows Hello) setting.

  5. Click the I forgot my PIN option.

    Windows 11 reset PIN

  6. Click the Continue button.

  7. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

    Confirm account password

  8. Create the new PIN.

    Set up Windows Hello PIN

  9. Confirm the new PIN.

  10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the PIN will be reset, and you will need to sign in again.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].