As one of the most secure operating systems, Windows 10 offers its users a variety of ways to log in to authenticate themselves. From a regular password and PIN code to facial recognition, fingerprint, physical security keys, and picture passwords – Microsoft has put to your disposal an array of different user authentication options. Naively, most users have been using regular passwords, few even try PINs; these options are great but remembering them does pose challenges. So why not try a Picture Password in Windows 10 that is simple, fast, and an equally effective and entertaining way to log in into your Windows system?
In this Windows 10 tutorial, you will know what Picture Password in Windows 10 is and how to set up an efficient one.
What is a Picture Password in Windows 10
Picture password is a feature on Windows 10 that allows users to log into their systems using their favorite pictures and gestures. These passwords demand the user to create three different gestures on a chosen image and then use those gestures as unique passwords. These gestures can have a combination of straight lines, circles, and clicks or taps. The user will need to perform a specific combination of the three gestures on the selected image chosen for this task. So, if you remember the gestures you can always recreate them for a successful log-in attempt.
All in all, the picture password offers an interesting and quick way to log in, it is easier than remembering and typing a long password, user-friendly, and much more fun in general. The trick is to make your picture password gestures easy enough for you to remember but complex enough so someone else would not be able to guess them.
Please note – Picture passwords work best on touch-screen devices, but you can also use them on a standard PC via your mouse.
How to make a hard-to-crack Picture Password in Windows 10?
Keep in mind, that picture passwords work best on touch-screen devices, hence tapping the gestures on the screen will leave behind oils and other stains. This could make your PC vulnerable to a password leak as someone might be able to decode your gestures. A quick wipe-off is important after drawing your passwords. In addition to the basic hygiene check, Microsoft too has a few suggestions for making your picture passwords tough to crack. These include:
- Clean your screen.
- Select a picture that has quite a few interesting points. An image having just one or two interesting locations will give you fewer points to choose from.
- Mix different gestures. Do not use just lines or taps, mix up things in any sequence that is easier for you to remember.
- Change direction, remember lines can go from bottom to top and left to right. And a circle can be made anti-clockwise too.
- Do not hesitate to hide. Let us admit, Picture passwords a little riskier than keyboard passwords as these appear on the screen as you are drawing it.
How to set up and use Picture Password
To create a picture password for your user account in Windows 10, follow these steps:
1] From the ‘Start Menu’ click on the ‘Settings’ icon
2] Hit on ‘Accounts’ and select ‘Sign-In Options’ appearing on the left panel.
3] Sign-in Options page displays all the password settings.
4] Scroll down to locate the ‘Picture Password’ option.
5] Under Picture Password, click the ‘Add’ option.
Please note – if your Windows account does not have a password, you will be prompted to set up one. Also, if you do have one, Windows will ask you to verify the same.
6] Type your password, and hit ‘Ok’.
7] Now select the ‘Choose Picture’ option from the left panel. While you look for the picture, remember that you select the one having more interesting points. Tap on the image and click ‘Open’.
8] The selected picture appears in a cropping bucket; you can drag it around to crop it the way you want it to fit on your screen.
9] Once done, click on ‘Use This Picture’. In case you are not happy with the image; you can change it by selecting ‘Choose a new picture’.
10] Next, Windows prompts you to set up your gestures. Here you will have to draw three gestures which can include a combination of straight lines, circles, and taps.
You will need to draw your gestures on the image. So, trace the gestures exactly as you want them.
11] Repeat the gestures as you will have to confirm them now. Ensure that the gestures you enter are in the correct order as you entered them earlier.
12] Once successfully confirmed your picture password is ready.
13] Click ‘Finish’ to confirm and put your Picture Password to action.
Try locking your system now by pressing ‘Alt + Ctrl + Del’ keys select ‘Lock’ – make sure to replicate your gestures here on. So, the next time you try to log in to your Windows 10 PC, the operating system will ask you for your picture password instead of your regular account password.
You can remove Picture Password by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Picture Password and select the ‘Remove’ option.
So now, you know how to create a Windows 10 picture password.
Did you have any trouble creating one? Do get in touch with us by leaving a comment below.
TIP: If you wish, you can disable the Picture Password Sign-In option in Windows 10 using Registry or Group Policy Editor.
