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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To set up or change how you unlock a Windows 11 PC, open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Ways to sign in, choose an available method, select Set up, and follow the prompts. Windows Hello supports PIN, facial recognition, and fingerprint recognition, but the choices 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 option: Facial recognition (Windows Hello), Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello), or PIN (Windows Hello).
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Select Set up and follow the on-screen instructions. Microsoft’s Windows Hello setup guidance covers the setup flow.
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At the sign-in screen, choose the configured method if Windows does not select it automatically. You can use another available sign-in method as a fallback.
What each Windows Hello option requires
| Option | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| PIN | Does not require a biometric sensor. The PIN is associated with that device and is different from your Microsoft-account password. |
| Facial recognition | Requires a Windows Hello-compatible camera. An ordinary webcam is not necessarily compatible. |
| Fingerprint recognition | Requires a fingerprint reader. A compatible external reader may connect through USB, but compatibility depends on the device, Windows version, and Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) support. |
Microsoft’s Windows Hello instructions explain the hardware requirements. Confirm a peripheral’s Windows Hello compatibility before buying it.
If an external camera or fingerprint reader is not available
External biometric devices can behave differently depending on the Windows version and ESS compatibility. Microsoft provides different instructions for Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and version 23H2 in its third-party biometric reader compatibility guidance.
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. Check the instructions for your exact Windows version and device before changing this security setting.
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Reset a forgotten Windows Hello PIN
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At the sign-in screen, select I forgot my PIN if it appears, then follow the prompts. Microsoft-account users can use this flow to reset the PIN.
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If that option is unavailable, sign in using your password, then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to reset the PIN.
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Local-account PIN and password recovery follow a different route. Use Microsoft’s PIN reset instructions for the route that matches your account and what appears on your sign-in screen.
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Optional sign-in and locking features
Use a security key or passkey
A physical security key is an optional sign-in method; it is not required to configure Windows Hello. Passkeys may be stored locally with Windows Hello, in a synced credential manager, on a phone or tablet, or on a physical security key. Work or school account policies may restrict which methods are available. See Microsoft’s passkey creation and storage guidance.
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Require Windows Hello instead of a password
For a Microsoft account, the optional setting For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device removes the password sign-in option on that device. Before enabling it, make sure you understand how you will regain access if your configured Hello method is unavailable. Microsoft describes the setting in its passwordless sign-in guidance.
Lock the PC automatically with Dynamic Lock
Dynamic Lock pairs the PC with a Bluetooth phone and locks the computer after the phone moves out of Bluetooth range. Microsoft says the PC locks within a minute after you move away. This feature locks an already signed-in PC; it does not replace a PIN, biometric method, or other sign-in credential. Find it alongside the other sign-in settings under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose an option that fits your PC and recovery needs
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Choose a PIN if you want Windows Hello without a biometric sensor, and keep in mind that its reset route depends partly on your account type and sign-in availability.
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Choose face or fingerprint sign-in only if your PC has compatible hardware, or you have confirmed that a compatible external device works with your Windows version and ESS configuration.
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- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: Includes 1× TF card slot, 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and 2× full-featured Type-C ports (USB 3.2 Gen1). The Type-C ports support data transfer, charging, and video output, enabling flexible connection with external devices such as monitors, storage, and peripherals for daily work and study use.
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Consider a physical security key only if you want that separate hardware option and your account or organization permits it.
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Check with your work or school administrator if a method is missing or blocked. Device configuration and organization policies can affect which options Windows displays.
Microsoft’s setup and support pages do not provide comparative speed, failure-rate, or security benchmark figures for these methods, so there is no evidence-based universal ranking among them.
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