When you buy a new Windows 10 PC out of the box, by default you must enter your Outlook or Microsoft account password every time you sign in. This can be a hassle especially if you have a long, secure and complex computer. password.
Fortunately, Windows has a few other slightly simpler ways to log into your laptop. We’ll walk you through your settings and enable login using a PIN, fingerprint or picture password. (Face recognition is also available, but only on certain Windows 10 systems.) We’ll also show you how to completely remove your password (although we recommend using one of the options above to keep your device safe). eliminates any sign-in).
Windows 10 also gives you the option to use a physical security key (usually a USB key) to log in, but you must purchase this key separately. Here are the methods you can use to log in without additional equipment.
To access your login settings:
- Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen to open the start menu
- Click the gear icon to open the settings
- Click “Accounts”
- Click on “Login options”
- Here you can set how to sign in to your device. You can add a login method by clicking the option and then “Add”. And you can disable any of these options by clicking the option and then “Uninstall”. You may be prompted to enter your Microsoft account password to remove an option.
- You can also set when your device prompts you to sign in after being idle. Under “Require login” you can select a number of options, from each time the system goes dark to when it stays dark for 15 minutes. You can also choose “Never”.
To set a PIN:
- Click on “Windows Hello PIN”
- Click “Add”
- A window titled “Create PIN” will open. Click next.”
- You will then be prompted to enter your Microsoft password. Enter it and click “Sign in”.
- Choose a PIN and enter it in both boxes. The default requirement for a PIN is to contain numbers only. If you want to use letters and symbols, you can tick the box at the bottom of the window.
- You can change your PIN later by clicking “Windows Hello PIN” and then “Change”. Enter your old PIN and then your new PIN twice.
To use your fingerprint to log in:
- Click “Windows Hello Fingerprint”
- Click “Set”
- Windows Hello will open. Click “Get started”.
- If you have already set your PIN, you will be asked to enter it here.
- You will then be prompted to lift your finger and repeatedly place it on the fingerprint scanner.
- You will then be asked to do the same thing, opening your finger differently each time.
- If you haven’t already, you will be asked to choose a PIN as a backup. Click “Set PIN” to continue.
To set a Picture Password:
Microsoft’s picture password option lets you use a series of gestures paired with a picture to sign in. Instead of using a PIN or password, you have to draw on a picture.
- Click “Picture Password” in “Login settings”
- Click “Add”
- You will be redirected to the picture password setup page and a pop-up will ask you to enter your Microsoft account password.
- Click “Choose image”
- A window will open and you will be able to browse through your photos. Select an image and then click “Open”.
- Click “Use this image” to continue or “Choose new image” to choose a different image.
- You will then be asked to draw three gestures on the image: lines, circles, and touches. To sign in, you must repeat the movements in the same order and in the same location on the image.
- Next, you will need to confirm your picture password by repeating the same three movements. If you can’t remember, click “Start over”.
- Click “Finish” on the next screen to complete the installation.
To completely remove a password:
Entering your password can be difficult, so there are alternative sign-in methods. If you want to go an extra step further, you can remove your password entirely. (Of course, completely disabling your password is a security risk – at least using a simple PIN is a better move.)
- Click the Windows Start button
- Search for “netplwiz” and open it
- A window will open. Uncheck the box next to “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer”.
- Then click “Apply”
- In the window that opens, enter your password twice and click “OK”.
- Click “OK” again
The changes will take effect after restarting your device.
To re-enable your password:
- open “netplwiz”
- Check the box next to “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer”.
- Then click “Apply”
- Click “OK”
