It’s not part of your Microsoft account. It’s unique to each device you use it on.
To change the PIN (Personal Identification Number) you use to sign in to a machine, you need to change it on that computer.
Knowing that, it’s pretty easy.
Changing PINs
Your PIN is not part of your Microsoft account; it’s separate for each device where you set it up. To change it, open Windows Settings, search for PIN, and click Change PIN. Type your old PIN, then your new one twice.
Changing the PIN
In the Settings app, search for PIN.
I recommend using search because Microsoft likes to change where things are. In the example above, click on Set up PIN sign-in (even if it’s already set up).
In the resulting page, click on PIN (Windows Hello) to expand it and expose the Change PIN button.
Click on the Change PIN button.
Enter your existing PIN, and then your new PIN twice. Click OK, and your PIN will be changed.
That’s all there is to it.
Help keep it going by becoming a Patron.
Related
How Can a PIN Be as Secure as a Password?
On the surface, signing into Windows using a PIN feels less secure than a traditional password. It's possible it's more secure.#24089
Why change your PIN?
Normally, there’s no reason to change a PIN, unless you’re concerned your PIN has been compromised in some way by someone who has access to your computer.
Since a PIN is machine-specific, it’s not used online at all. The only time it comes into play is when you’re at your machine attempting to sign in, or when some of the other reasons Windows Hello (the technology that handles things like PINs, fingerprints, security keys and the like) is used. Many password managers ask Windows to confirm you are who you say you are before filling in a password. If you’re configured to use a PIN to sign in, you may need to enter that PIN again to proceed.
If someone knows your PIN and has access to your computer, they can log in and impersonate you.
If that’s the case, and it’s not someone you trust, it’s time to change your PIN.
What about other computers?
While it’s common to set them all to use the same PIN1, each device has its own. That means you’ll need to decide if you want to change your PIN on every machine that uses one.
Most importantly, changing a PIN on one machine does not affect the PIN used on other devices. It’s a machine-level, not an account-level, setting.
How are PINs even safe?
Most account compromises happen when someone on the internet gets your online account password and signs in to your account. PINs used to sign in to Windows are not used online, so they don’t represent a risk to, say, overseas hackers or database breaches.
To use a PIN, someone needs physical access to your machine. That makes them a convenient and secure way to keep your computer — including your signed-in online accounts and local data — safe from someone walking by or from someone who steals your computer2.
Do this
If you feel your machine is at risk of physical access by someone who knows (or can guess) its PIN, then change the PIN. It’s easy to do.
Also easy: Subscribe to Confident Computing! Less frustration and more confidence, solutions, answers, and tips in your inbox every week.
Podcast audio
Footnotes & References
1: Yes, perfect security would mean that you don’t reuse PINs for all the same reasons you should not reuse passwords. However, we are all imperfect; what can I say?
2: A knowledgeable thief might still be able to access data stored on the hard drive, but a) few thieves are knowledgeable, and b) that’s what BitLocker is for.
So, that’s why I managed to lock myself out of my computer a couple of times when I made some changes to the UEFI settings. I was able to sign back into my computer and reset the PIN but couldn’t figure out why Windows wanted me to sign in another way. Thanks, Leo!
When I select PIN, I see “Related links” I forgot my PIN Sorry, this PIN isn’t working for your organization’s resources. Tap or Click here
This is a personal Windows 11 Pro setup. I cannot use the guidance provided. What would my next step be?