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No—Windows 11 does not document a built-in toggle that removes password sign-in for a local account. The Windows Hello-only setting applies to Microsoft accounts, not local accounts. For a local account, you can change its password or set up Windows Hello as another sign-in method, but adding Hello does not disable the password option.

Check which account type you use

  1. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Confirm whether the Windows account is local or a Microsoft account before looking for a passwordless setting. The available sign-in controls can vary by device configuration, according to Microsoft’s sign-in options guidance.

A local account is specific to one device and can be used without an internet connection. A Microsoft account is associated with an email address and can connect Windows to other Microsoft services. See Microsoft’s account-type guidance for more about the distinction.

Why the Windows Hello-only setting is missing

The setting “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device” is explicitly for Microsoft accounts. Microsoft says it is available only when signing in with a Microsoft account; it is not a local-account password switch. The exact path is Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then turn on the setting under Additional settings. Microsoft’s instructions say the password option will no longer appear at the next sign-in, leaving Windows Hello face, fingerprint, or PIN. Those instructions do not apply to local accounts. See Microsoft’s passwordless Windows guidance.

What you can do with a local-account password

Change a password you know

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Expand Password, select Change, and follow the prompts. Microsoft says you must enter the old password to change a known local-account password.

Reset a forgotten password

At the sign-in screen, select the password entry, choose OK, then select Reset password and answer the security questions for the account. If you created a password-reset disk earlier, that is another recovery option. This is account recovery, not a way to remove password sign-in. Follow Microsoft’s local-account password instructions.

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Use Windows Hello as an alternate sign-in method

If your goal is to avoid typing a password each time you sign in, set up Windows Hello under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Windows Hello offers a PIN, fingerprint recognition, or face recognition. Face sign-in requires a compatible camera, and fingerprint sign-in requires a fingerprint reader. Hello provides another sign-in method; Microsoft’s guidance does not say that enabling it removes a local account’s password option. See Microsoft’s Windows Hello setup instructions.

Quick Recap

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Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
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Choose the route that matches your goal

Account and goal What to do What it changes
Microsoft account; remove the password choice on this device Turn on the Windows Hello-only setting under Additional settings in Sign-in options. Microsoft says the password option will no longer appear at the next sign-in; this setting is not for local accounts.
Local account; change a known password Sign-in options > Password > Change. Changes the password; the current password is required.
Local account; recover a forgotten password Use Reset password at the sign-in screen and answer security questions, or use a previously created reset disk. Recovers access to the account; it does not disable password sign-in.
Either account; use a different sign-in method Set up a PIN, face, or fingerprint option in Sign-in options, if supported. Adds an alternative method; it does not establish that a local-account password option is removed.

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