Windows sign-in options and account protection (2024)

To access your sign-in options, go to Start> Settings > Accounts> Sign-in options.

Or just select this button:

Go to Sign-in options

Change or manage your password or PIN

To change your password or PIN, go toStart> Settings> Accounts> Sign-in options.

  • Select PIN (Windows Hello), and then select Change PIN.

  • Select Passwordthen select Change.

Windows Hello

Windows Hello lets you sign in to your devices, apps, online services, and networks using your face, iris, fingerprint, or a PIN. Even if your Windows device can use Windows Hello biometrics, you don’t have to. If it’s the right choice for you, you can rest assured that the info that identifies your face, iris, or fingerprint never leaves your device. Windows does not storepictures of your face, iris, or fingerprint on your device or anywhere else.

When you set up Windows Hello biometrics, it takes the data from the face camera, iris sensor, or fingerprint reader and creates a data representation—or graph—that is then encrypted before it’s stored on your device.

To help us keep things working properly, to help detect and prevent fraud, and to continue improving Windows Hello, we collect diagnostic data about how people use Windows Hello. For example, data about whether people sign in with their face, iris, fingerprint, or PIN; the number of times they use it; and whether it works or not is all valuable information that helps us build a better product. The data is pseudonymized, does not include biometric information, and is encrypted before it's transmitted to Microsoft. You can choose to stop sending diagnostic data to Microsoft at any time. Learn more about diagnostic data in Windows

To turn on Windows Hello

  1. Go to Start> Settings> Accounts> Sign-in options

  2. Select the Windows Hello method that you want to set up,

  3. Select Set up.

If you don't see Windows Hello in Sign-in options, then it may not be available for your device.Windows Hello does require a compatible cameraor fingerprint reader.

To remove Windows Hello and any associated biometric identification data from the device

  1. Go to Start> Settings > Accounts> Sign-in options.

  2. Select the Windows Hello method you want to remove.

  3. Select Remove.

Your biometric data will remain on your device until you remove it. However, after a significant period of Windows Hello inactivity, you will be prompted to confirm that you want to continue to store your biometric data. You can go to Settings and remove Windows Hello, and any associated biometric identification data, at any time. If you enrolled using an external device, such as a USB fingerprint reader, please connect the device first.

For more information, seeLearn about Windows Hello and set it up.

Using a security key

A security key is a hardware device - usually in the form of a little USB key -that you can use instead of your username and password to sign in on the web. Since it's used in addition to a fingerprint or PIN, even if someone has your security key, they won't be able to sign in without the PIN or fingerprint that you create.

Security keys are usually available for purchase from retailers that sell computer accessories. Learn more about security keys

To set up a security key

  1. Go toStart> Settings > Accounts> Sign-in options,

  2. Select Security Key.

  3. Select Manage and follow the instructions.

Lock your device

If you're stepping away from your device for a few minutes it's a good idea to lock it so that others can't see what's on your screen, or access anything on it. Press the Windows logo key + Lto immediately lock in. When you return you'll just need to authenticate and you'll be right where you left off.

Dynamic lock

Windows can use devices that are paired with your PC to help detect when you’re away, and lock your PC shortly after your paired device is out of Bluetooth range. This makes it more difficult for someone to gain access to your device if you step away from your PC and forget to lock it.

  1. On your Windows 11PC, select Start > Settings > Accounts> Sign-in options.

  2. Under Dynamic lock, select the Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away check box.

  3. Use Bluetooth to pair your phone with your PC. Learn how to pair devices using Bluetooth

Once they’re paired, take your phone with you when you walk away, and your PC will automatically lock a minute or so after you’re out of Bluetooth range.

Other sign-in options

Manage when you're required to sign in

Go toStart> Settings > Accounts> Sign-in options. Next to If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?select an option for when Windows should require you to sign in again.

To show your account details on the sign-in screen

Go toStart> Settings> Accounts> Sign-in options. Turnon Show account details such as my email address on the sign-in screen.

To automatically finish setup after an update

Go toStart > Settings> Accounts> Sign-in options. Turn on Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up after an updateif you want to use your sign-in info to automatically finish setting up your device after an update or restart.

Advanced Debugging

Organizational requirements for enabling Windows Hello for Business

Organizational administrators may configure requirements that devices must satisfy before enabling Windows Hello for Businessfor use with organizational accounts. If these requirements are not met, you may get an error message when attempting to enable Windows Hello for Businessthat states "This device doesn't meet your organization's requirements for Windows Hello".

To get more detailed information

Go to Start > Event Viewer. In the navigation tree on the left, go to Applications and Services Logs> Microsoft> Windows> User Device Registration> Admin. Select the most recent event presented; the information in this log event may clarify why you are receiving this error message.

Common Hardware Issues

One way that machines may fall into this case is if the machine has a TPM with some sort of issue, such as out-of-date firmware. To check this, you can use TpmTool:

TpmTool GetDeviceInformation

If it reports that "TPM Has Vulnerable Firmware: True", please get in touch with your IT provider to install an updated firmware.Learn more about TpmTool

To access your sign-in options, go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

Or just click this button:

Go to Sign-in options

Change or manage your password

To change your password, go toStart > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Select Password, and then select Change.

Note:To change your password if you're using a work or school account, you can press Ctrl+Alt+Del and then select Change a password.

Windows Hello

Windows Hello lets you sign in to your devices, apps, online services, and networks using your face, iris, fingerprint, or a PIN. Even if your Windows device can use Windows Hello biometrics, you don’t have to. If it’s the right choice for you, you can rest assured that the info that identifies your face, iris, or fingerprint never leaves your device. Windows does not storepictures of your face, iris, or fingerprint on your device or anywhere else.

When you set up Windows Hello biometrics, it takes the data from the face camera, iris sensor, or fingerprint reader and creates a data representation—or graph—that is then encrypted before it’s stored on your device.

To help us keep things working properly, to help detect and prevent fraud, and to continue improving Windows Hello, we collect diagnostic data about how people use Windows Hello. For example, data about whether people sign in with their face, iris, fingerprint, or PIN; the number of times they use it; and whether it works or not is all valuable information that helps us build a better product. The data is pseudonymized, does not include biometric information, and is encrypted before it's transmitted to Microsoft. You can choose to stop sending diagnostic data to Microsoft at any time. Learn more about diagnostic data in Windows

To turn on Windows Hello

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options,

  2. Select the Windows Hello method that you want to set up

  3. Select Set up.

If you don't see Windows Hello in Sign-in options, then it may not be available for your device. Windows Hello does require a compatible cameraor fingerprint reader.

To remove Windows Hello and any associated biometric identification data from the device

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

  2. Select the Windows Hello method you want to remove, and then select Remove.

Your biometric data will remain on your device until you remove it. However, after a significant period of Windows Hello inactivity, you will be prompted to confirm that you want to continue to store your biometric data. You can go to Settings and remove Windows Hello, and any associated biometric identification data, at any time. If you enrolled using an external device, such as a USB fingerprint reader, please connect the device first.

For more information seeLearn about Windows Hello and set it up.

Using a security key

A security key is a hardware device - usually in the form of a little USB key -that you can use instead of your username and password to sign in on the web. Since it's used in addition to a fingerprint or PIN, even if someone has your security key, they won't be able to sign in without the PIN or fingerprint that you create.

Security keys are usually available for purchase from retailers that sell computer accessories. Learn more about security keys

To set up a security key,

  1. Go toStart > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options,

  2. Select Security Key.

  3. Select Manage and follow the instructions.

Lock your device

If you're stepping away from your device for a few minutes it's a good idea to lock it so that others can't see what's on your screen, or access anything on it. Press the Windows logo key + Lto immediately lock in. When you returnyou'll just need to authenticateand you'll be right where you left off.

Dynamic lock

Windows can use devices that are paired with your PC to help detect when you’re awayand lock your PC shortly after your paired device is out of Bluetooth range. This makes it more difficult for someone to gain access to your device if you step away from your PC and forget to lock it.

  1. On your Windows 10 PC, select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

  2. Under Dynamic lock, select the Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away check box.

  3. Use Bluetooth to pair your phone with your PC. Learn how to pair devices using Bluetooth

Once they’re paired, take your phone with you when you walk away, and your PC will automatically lock a minute or so after you’re out of Bluetooth range.

Other sign-in options

Manage when you're required to sign in

Go toStart > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Require sign-in, select an option for when Windows should require you to sign in again.

To show your account details on the sign-in screen

Go toStart > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Privacy, turn the first setting On if you want to show your account details on the sign-in screen.

To automatically finish setup after an update

Go toStart > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Privacy, turn the second setting On if you want to use your sign-in info to automatically finish setting up your device after an update or restart.

Advanced Debugging

Organizational requirements for enabling Windows Hello for Business

Organizational administrators may configure requirements that devices must satisfy before enabling Windows Hello for Businessfor use with organizational accounts. If these requirements are not met, you may get an error message when attempting to enable Windows Hello for Businessthat states "This device doesn't meet your organization's requirements for Windows Hello".

To get more detailed information

Go to Start > Event Viewer. In the navigation tree on the left, go to Applications and Services Logs> Microsoft> Windows> User Device Registration> Admin. Select the most recent event presented; the information in this log event may clarify why you are receiving this error message.

Common Hardware Issues

One way that machines may fall into this case is if the machine has a TPM with some sort of issue, such as out-of-date firmware. To check this, you can use TpmTool:

TpmTool GetDeviceInformation

If it reports that "TPM Has Vulnerable Firmware: True", please get in touch with your IT provider to install an updated firmware.Learn more about TpmTool

Windows sign-in options and account protection (2024)

FAQs

What are Windows sign in options? ›

Windows Hello lets you sign in to your devices, apps, online services, and networks using your face, iris, fingerprint, or a PIN. Even if your Windows device can use Windows Hello biometrics, you don't have to.

Can I disable sign in options Windows 10? ›

Step 1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box, and then type netplwiz in the box and hit Enter. Step 2. In the User Accounts window, select the user accounts that you want to remove login screen Windows 10 and untick the checkbox next to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.

How do I get rid of the sign in option window? ›

Open the Windows Settings by pressing Win + I. Go to "Accounts" and then select "Sign-in options" from the left sidebar. Depending on the options you want to disable (e.g., PIN, fingerprint, facial recognition), you can set up a Group Policy or local policy to prevent users from adding or using those sign-in options.

What is account protection in Windows Security? ›

The Account protection section contains information and settings for account protection and sign-in. You can get more information about these capabilities from the following list: Microsoft Account. Windows Hello for Business. Lock your Windows 10 PC automatically when you step away from it.

What are the accounts Sign-in options in Windows 11? ›

There are multiple sign-in options in Windows 11:
  1. Facial recognition: Log in by showing your face.
  2. Fingerprint recognition: Log in by providing your fingerprint.
  3. PIN: Log in with a PIN (numbers, letters, or symbols).
  4. Security key: A special USB device can be plugged in to authenticate your account.
Mar 23, 2023

What is all Sign-in options on Windows 10 platform? ›

Go to the Start menu and select Settings. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello, you'll see options for face, fingerprint, or iris if your PC has a fingerprint reader or a camera that supports it. Select Set up and follow the on-screen instructions.

How do I stop Microsoft from asking me to Sign-in Windows 10? ›

Press Windows key + R, type netplwiz and click OK. 2. In User Accounts dialog box, uncheck the box next to 'Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer'. Then click OK button.

How to remove your PIN and other Sign-in options from Windows 10? ›

What to Know
  1. Be sure you've signed in to the account you want to remove the PIN from before you begin.
  2. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello PIN > Remove > Remove.
  3. Once the PIN is gone, consider protecting your account by other means, like a password.
Oct 17, 2023

Is Microsoft account protection safe? ›

If you get an email from Microsoft account team and the email address domain is @accountprotection.microsoft.com, it is safe to trust the message and open it. Microsoft uses this domain to send email notifications about your Microsoft account.

Should I disable Windows administrator account? ›

Because the Administrator account is known to exist on many versions of the Windows operating system, it's a best practice to disable the Administrator account when possible to make it more difficult for malicious users to gain access to the server or client computer. You can rename the Administrator account.

What is account protection? ›

Your computer accounts are dedicated user profiles for the various services you access. Each of these accounts should be protected to prevent unwanted people from accessing your personal information.

Why is Windows not showing other Sign-in options? ›

Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Turn Off the For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device option. Hope this helps!

What is Windows Hello and do I need it? ›

Windows Hello is a feature in Windows 10 that allows you to securely log into your device using facial recognition, fingerprints, or a personal identification number (PIN). It provides a convenient and more secure way to access your computer, eliminating the need for traditional passwords.

Why are Sign-in options unavailable Windows 10? ›

Some users reported that this problem started after Windows 10 was updated. Well, this is probably a bug caused by Windows update. In this case, you need to wait for the next update to fix the problem. Or, you can do a fresh installation of Windows 10 on your computer to get back the Sign-in options.

References

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