Microsoft brings multiple features and capabilities to Windows 11 and Windows 10 and makes it easier than ever to authenticate yourself on a PC. You can use a Password, PIN or a Picture-Password for logging into your computer. From the Windows login screen, you can just switch between these sign-in or log-in options.
In addition to traditional password-based login, Windows 11/10 also includes PIN and Picture Password login options for user safety and security. You can use a Microsoft email account-based logon or a Local account to access your computer. However, there are some design conflicts that may not allow you to use either of PIN or a Picture Password to log into your system. For example, when you’re in Safe Mode, neither of these alternatives works, and you need to have a traditional password in that case.
This article gives a rundown of the Windows 11/10 sign-in options.
Sign in options in Windows 11/10
1] Change Windows Password
To change the password in Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Press Win+Ito open Windows Settings.
- navigate to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Expand the Password section.
- Click the Change button.
- Enter the current password.
- Enter the new password twice, along with the password hint.
- Click the Next button.
If you are using Windows 10, follow these steps.
Open Start Menu and click open Settings. Select ‘Accounts’. Next, choose ‘Sign-in options’. To create a new P and hit the Change button under heading ‘Password’.
Next, enter ‘Current password’ and click Next.
In a new window that opens, type in a new password, re-enter the new password, input a hint for the password, and click the Next button.
Finally, click ‘Finish’ for completing the change to user password. The next time you sign in, you will have to use your new password.
Read: How to use PIN instead of Password in Windows
2] Change Picture password on Windows
A Picture Password enables you to use a picture from your library as a password. You have to perform three gestures on the picture that you want to use as your password. For example, you can select, draw and resize some portion of the picture as you want.
To change Picture password on Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Open Windows Settings on Windows 11.
- Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Click on the Picture password section.
- Click the Change button.
- Enter user account password.
- Click the Choose new picture button.
- Select a new image.
- Draw the gestures twice to confirm.
This is how you can change the Picture password in Windows 11.
However, if you use Windows 10, you need to follow these steps.
In the Windows 10 Settings app, under ‘Picture Password’ section as shown in the screenshot below, click on Add.
Next, enter your password and click OK to confirm your account info.
After that, select ‘Use this picture’ to continue.
Draw three new gestures on the picture. Repeat the step and click ‘Finish’ to exit.
3] Changing PIN in Windows 11/10
If you think that setting up a Picture Password is too complicated for you, but you still want to experience a change in the method of login, Microsoft Windows has a solution for you in the form of PIN.
To change PIN in Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Press Win+I to open Windows Settings.
- Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Expand PIN and click on Change PIN button.
- Enter current PIN and new PIN.
- Click the OK button.
However, if you are using Windows 10, you can follow the following methods. For your information, the process is similar, but the user interface is quite different.
Open Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, select change button under ‘Pin’ section.
Now, enter a password and click OK. Next, enter a new 6 digit PIN and select Finish.
You can also make users use a complex PIN to sign in by enabling the PIN Complexity Group Policy.
PS: There are three new ways to sign in to your Windows 11 computer system now:
- Web sign-in
- Faster sign-in
- Remote Desktop with Biometrics
That’s all there is to it!
See this post if you cannot change or modify PIN in Windows.
Read: Picture password sign-in option not available in Windows 11.
How do I disable Sign-in on Windows 11?
To disable Sign-in options on Windows 11, you need to remove the security shield you have set on your computer. If you have used a PIN, you need to remove the PIN. Similarly, if you have used the Password option, you need to remove the password. If you are not familiar with the process, you can follow the aforementioned guides. For your information, you must open Windows Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options to complete this.
How do I change the Sign-in options on my computer?
To change the Sign-in options on your Windows 11/10 computer, you can follow the above-mentioned guides. However, in all cases, you need to open the Windows Settings and go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Here you can find PIN, Password, and Picture password. Select an option that meets your requirements, then click the Change button. Then, you can verify your identity by entering the current password or PIN in order to set a new one.
TIP: If you wish, you can disable the Picture Password Sign-In option in Windows using Registry or Group Policy Editor.
