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To set up a Windows 11 sign-in method, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Ways to sign in, select an available option, choose Set up, and follow the prompts. Windows Hello supports a PIN, fingerprint, and facial recognition; the options shown depend on your PC and any work or school policies.
Set up a Windows 11 sign-in method
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Open Settings, then select Accounts > Sign-in options. Microsoft’s Sign-in options in Windows page describes the available settings.
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Under Ways to sign in, select an available Windows Hello option: Facial recognition (Windows Hello), Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello), or PIN (Windows Hello).
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Choose Set up and complete the on-screen instructions. Microsoft’s Windows Hello setup guidance covers these methods.
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At the sign-in screen, select or use the method you configured. A Windows Hello PIN is associated with that device; it is not the same as your Microsoft-account password.
What hardware does each option require?
| Sign-in method | What you need |
|---|---|
| PIN (Windows Hello) | No biometric sensor; follow the setup prompts to create the device-associated PIN. |
| Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) | A compatible fingerprint reader, built in or connected externally. |
| Facial recognition (Windows Hello) | A Windows Hello-compatible camera; an ordinary webcam is not necessarily compatible. |
Microsoft says a compatible external camera or fingerprint reader can be connected over USB if the PC lacks an integrated sensor. Check that the specific device supports Windows Hello before buying it.
Using an external camera or fingerprint reader
External biometric devices have additional compatibility considerations. The setup depends on the Windows version and whether Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) is in use. Microsoft’s instructions differ for Windows 11 version 24H2 and later versus version 23H2; consult its third-party biometric-reader compatibility guidance for the relevant version and device.
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Do not turn off ESS as a routine troubleshooting step. Microsoft warns that disabling it removes existing ESS enrollments and associated credentials, which can include passkeys. First check the reader’s compatibility and the instructions for your Windows version.
Reset a forgotten Windows Hello PIN
Recovery depends on your account type and which options appear on the sign-in screen.
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If I forgot my PIN appears at sign-in, a Microsoft-account user can select it and follow the reset steps.
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If that option is unavailable, sign in with the account password, then open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to reset the PIN.
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Local accounts use a different recovery route. Follow Microsoft’s PIN reset guidance for the account type and recovery choices available to you.
Optional sign-in and locking features
Passwordless sign-in for a Microsoft account
In Sign-in options, the setting For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device removes the password sign-in option on that PC. This is a device-level choice, not a general change to every place you use the Microsoft account. Before enabling it, make sure you understand the available account recovery and alternate sign-in methods.
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For more detail, see Microsoft’s passwordless sign-in instructions.
Passkeys and physical security keys
Passkeys are separate from the basic Windows Hello setup choices. A passkey may be stored locally with Windows Hello, in a synced credential manager, on a phone or tablet, or on a physical security key. A security key is optional; Windows Hello setup does not require one. Availability can depend on the account and, for work or school accounts, organization policy. Microsoft explains how passkeys are created and stored.
Dynamic Lock
Dynamic Lock pairs the PC with a Bluetooth phone and automatically locks the PC after the phone moves out of Bluetooth range. Microsoft says the lock occurs within a minute after you move away. It is an automatic locking feature, not a sign-in credential or a replacement for a PIN, password, or biometric method.
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Choose the method that fits your PC
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Choose a PIN if you want Windows Hello without a biometric sensor.
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Choose fingerprint sign-in if your PC has a compatible reader, or you have verified that a specific external reader works with your Windows version and ESS configuration.
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Choose facial recognition only if your PC has a Windows Hello-compatible camera.
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Consider a passkey or physical security key only if you need that separate credential option and your account supports it.
Windows settings vary by device configuration, Windows version, and organization policy. Microsoft’s support instructions do not establish comparative speed, failure-rate, or security benchmark figures for these methods, so the practical choice is the supported method that fits your hardware and recovery needs.
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