| Set up a Windows 10 PIN
By Ed Bott
Strong, hard-to-guess passwords are essential for securing online accounts, but typing a long string of letters, numbers, and symbols can feel like a burden when signing in to a PC using that account. For devices running Windows 10 that are connected with a Microsoft account or Azure Active Directory, you can set a PIN as an alternative to your password. Signing in with a device-specific PIN grants you quick access but still keep your system safe from intruders and, as a bonus, prevents "shoulder surfers" from stealing your online credentials as you type.
To add, remove, or change a PIN, go to Settings | Accounts | Sign-in Options and click Windows Hello PIN.
For extra security, consider using extra digits instead of the default four. A Windows Hello PIN can be up to 127 characters long. You can also include characters and symbols instead of just numbers; that option allows you to use a PIN as a device-specific password that unlocks your Microsoft or Azure AD account.
You can always switch between PIN and password by clicking or tapping the Sign-In Options link on the screen where you enter your credentials. | Part of your job is to make sure that your users' PCs are healthy and reliable. And when a system crash occurs--whether the culprit is a rogue application or a bad driver or something as-yet unidentified--you should be able to jump in and get things... |
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