How to Set Up a PIN to Log Into Windows

A Windows PIN is a short numeric code — typically 4 to 8 digits — that you enter to sign into your computer instead of typing a long password. It's faster, and despite being shorter, it's actually more secure than a regular password in several important ways.

Unlike a password, your PIN is stored only on your specific computer. It cannot be used to access your account from another device, which means that even if someone learns your PIN, they can't log into your account from their own computer. A stolen password, by contrast, works anywhere.

Windows Hello is the feature that manages your PIN (as well as face recognition and fingerprint sign-in). Setting up a PIN through Windows Hello takes just a few minutes and doesn't require any new hardware.

Your PIN can be letters and symbols too if you want — Windows lets you create an "alphanumeric PIN" that's more complex. But for most people, a simple 6-digit number that they can remember works great.

A few things to know: - You still need your Microsoft account password to reset your PIN if you forget it, so don't delete that password - Your PIN works only on this one computer - If you share the computer, each user account can have its own separate PIN

Setting up a PIN is especially helpful if you find yourself typing a long password every time you turn on your computer. After the PIN is set, Windows will use it by default instead.