How to Turn Off Windows Hello PIN and Setup Prompt Notification

To simplify the sign-in process on Windows 10 computers, Microsoft developed the Windows Hello sign-in feature. One of the ways to log in using Hello is with a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Some users want to turn off the Windows Hello PIN with the Windows Hello setup prompt notification they get when the computer boots up.

We’ll explain how to manage Windows Hello sign-in options, why you should consider using them, and how to turn off the Pin option.

Let’s start.

Windows Hello Logon Options

A PIN isn’t the only way to log into your Windows 10 computer. Windows Hello offers numerous options such as:

• Windows Hello Face, which uses facial recognition technology to log in by scanning your face.
• Windows Hello Fingerprint using your fingerprint, provided you have a fingerprint scanner on your computer/laptop.
• Windows Hello PIN uses a numeric PIN with the option to add alphabets and symbols.
• The security key uses a physical USB key, such as a Yubikey.
• A password that allows signing in using your Microsoft account password.
• Picture Password, which will use a photo you upload to create a kind of puzzle. Slide the missing piece to the correct position to complete the puzzle and gain access.

Even if you don’t want to use the Windows Hello PIN option to sign in, there are many other ways. As a long-term Windows user, I recommend using one of the available options. Not only does this make the sign-in process simpler and much faster, it also prevents Microsoft from bothering you to set up Windows Hello. No more notifications!

How Windows Hello Logon Works

Microsoft ensures that your fingerprint, face, iris, or PIN that you use to sign in using Windows Hello never leaves your device. It is stored locally and encrypted to protect your privacy and keep your data safe. This means that using Windows Hello is not only easy and fast, but also safe and secure. If you wish, you can enable one of the other Windows Hello sign-in options while disabling the Windows Hello PIN.

How to Turn off Windows Hello PIN from Settings

A PIN is not the same as a password. There is a difference and I’m assuming you already have it installed. You can turn this off in Settings or using a Registry/GPE trick.

Press Windows key+I to open Settings and search for and select Change login requirements.

Click once on the Windows Hello PIN option to reveal a menu. Here you can recover the PIN if you forgot it, remove and change it if you don’t want to use it. Click Remove.

Enter your Microsoft account password to complete the process.

Once the Windows Hello PIN is successfully disabled, you should see an Add option instead.

You will need to enter your Microsoft account password the next time you log in to your Windows 10 computer. That would be more cumbersome than using the PIN. Windows Hello needs to simplify the process because remembering passwords can be difficult/complicated, as they should be. Again, I recommend using one of the Hello sign-in options.

How to Turn off Windows Hello PIN from Registry Editor

If the settings are not working for you for some reason, you can also turn it off from the Registry Editor. This will work for all versions of Windows, including those running the Windows Home edition. Search for and open Registry Editor from the start menu.

Navigate to the following folder structure.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Settings\AllowSignInOptions

In the right pane you will find a DWORD 32-bit file named Value. Double click the file to open it and set the Hexadecimal Value data from 1 to 0 (zero) and save. This will turn off the Windows Hello PIN. You can turn it back on by changing the value back to 1.

How to Turn off Windows Hello Setup Prompt Notification

Microsoft wants you to use Windows Hello. Using a local user account may fix the problem, but Microsoft will force you to create a Microsoft account instead.

Can’t get rid of the Windows Hello setup notification when starting or logging in to your computer? There is a Group Policy Editor hack, but it can only be used by Windows Pro and Enterprise users.

Search for Group Policy Editor in Windows Search, open it and navigate to the folder structure below.

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Hello for Business

Double-click the Use Windows Hello for Business file to open it.

Then select Disabled in the pop-up window that comes up and save the settings.

From now on you should stop seeing the pop-up notification to set up Windows Hello.

Hello, Windows

Windows Hello is a great idea and I recommend everyone use it. It saves time and is safe and secure. Especially if you are using an external FIDO certified USB device like Yubikey to log in. Still, if you want to uninstall Windows Hello along with the installation commands, you can do it easily by following the guide above.

Next: Looking for a Windows 10 app to generate 2FA codes? Here is a list of 3 2FA apps that you can download and use now.