You can remove your PIN from Windows 11 in Settings, but you'll need to use your password instead

Windows 11 lets you sign in with a PIN, a password, or both. If you want to stop using a PIN and sign in with your password only, you can remove it through Settings. The process takes about two minutes and doesn't affect your password or any other account settings.

Your PIN stays on your device only — it doesn't sync to Microsoft's servers the way a password does. This means if you remove your PIN, you're only changing how you sign in to this one computer. You'll still have your password, and you can add the PIN back later if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Sign-in options to see your PIN and password settings in one place.
  • Click the PIN entry, then select Remove to delete it — you'll need to enter your password to confirm.
  • After you remove your PIN, you'll sign in with your password on the next restart.
  • Removing your PIN does not delete your password or change your Microsoft account in any way.
  • You can add a PIN back at any time by returning to the same Settings screen and selecting Add.

Step-by-step: removing your PIN from Windows 11

Start by opening Settings. Press the Windows key and type "settings" — the Settings app will appear at the top of the search results. Click it to open.

Once Settings is open, click Accounts in the left sidebar. You'll see several options; select Sign-in options. This page shows all the ways you can sign in to your device: password, PIN, Windows Hello (face or fingerprint), and security key.

Look for the PIN section. It will show "PIN (Windows Hello)" or just "PIN" depending on your Windows version. Click on it to expand that section. You'll see a Remove button. Click Remove.

Windows will ask you to confirm by entering your password. Type your password and press Enter. The PIN will be deleted when ready. The next time you restart your computer or sign out and back in, you'll use your password instead.

What happens after you remove your PIN

Your sign-in screen will change on your next restart. Instead of the PIN pad that normally appears, you'll see the password field. Type your password as you would on any other Windows device.

Nothing else changes. Your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were. Your Microsoft account password is still active and unchanged. If you ever want to add a PIN back, you can return to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and click Add next to PIN.

Why you might want to remove your PIN

Some people prefer passwords because they're the same across all their devices — if you use the same password on your phone, tablet, and computer, you only have to remember one thing. A PIN only works on that specific computer, so it's an extra thing to keep track of.

Others remove their PIN because they share a computer with family members and want everyone to use passwords instead. Or you might be moving to a different device and want to simplify your sign-in methods before you go.

If you forget your PIN but remember your password

You don't need to remove your PIN first. At the sign-in screen, look for a link that says "Sign in with password" or "I forgot my PIN." Click it, and you can sign in with your password instead. Once you're signed in, you can remove the PIN through Settings as described above.

If you can't find that link on your sign-in screen, restart your computer and try again. The option appears on most Windows 11 devices, but the exact wording varies slightly by version.

Adding a PIN back if you change your mind

If you remove your PIN and later decide you want it back, the process is just as straightforward. Open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, and look for the PIN section. Instead of Remove, you'll now see Add. Click it, and Windows will ask you to create a new PIN.

You can use any four-digit number, or a longer PIN if you prefer. Windows will ask you to enter it twice to make sure you typed it correctly. After that, you'll see the PIN pad at your sign-in screen again on your next restart.

PIN vs. password: which should you use

A PIN is faster to type — four digits instead of a longer password — and it only works on your device, so it's slightly more find in that sense. A password works on any device where you sign in with your Microsoft account, so you don't have to remember different sign-in methods.

Many people use both: they keep their PIN for quick sign-in at home and their password for signing in elsewhere. Windows 11 lets you have both active at the same time, so you can choose which one to use when you sign in. If you want to use only one, removing the PIN and keeping the password is the most straightforward approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing my PIN affect my Microsoft account password?

No. Your PIN and password are separate. Removing your PIN doesn't change your password, and your Microsoft account will work exactly the same way. You'll just sign in with your password instead of your PIN on this device.

Can I remove my PIN if I don't remember my password?

You'll need to reset your password first. Go to the Windows sign-in screen and click "I forgot my password." Windows will guide you through resetting it using your email or phone number. Once you've reset your password, you can sign in and remove your PIN through Settings.

What if I remove my PIN and then forget my password?

You can still reset your password at the sign-in screen using your email or phone number, just as you would if you had a PIN. The process is the same. Removing your PIN doesn't change how password recovery works.

Does removing my PIN delete it from other devices?

Your PIN only exists on the device where you created it. Removing it from one computer doesn't affect any other device. If you have a PIN on your laptop and your desktop, you'd need to remove it separately from each one.

Can I remove my PIN without entering my password?

No. Windows requires you to enter your password to confirm that you want to remove your PIN. This is a security measure to make sure someone else isn't changing your sign-in settings without your permission.