How to Safely Bypass Windows 11 ‘PIN Required’ (Enable Passwordless Microsoft Account Login)

When you set up a new Windows 11 PC using a Microsoft Account, the operating system absolutely insists that you create a 4-digit PIN (Windows Hello). Microsoft claims this is faster and more secure than typing out your long Microsoft account password every single time you turn on the computer.

However, if you are setting up a shared family computer in the living room, you might not want a PIN or a password at all. You just want anyone in the house to be able to turn on the PC and instantly arrive at the desktop. Before you can remove the PIN and bypass the login screen entirely, you must first disable a hidden setting that forces Windows Hello to be the exclusive login method.

How to Safely Bypass the Windows 11 PIN Requirement

You must turn off the “Microsoft account sign-in” restriction before you can delete your PIN.

1. Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open Settings.
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Accounts.
3. Scroll down the main window and click on Sign-in options.
4. Look under the “Additional settings” section for an option labeled: “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended)”.
5. If the toggle switch next to this option is On, click it so it slides to the left and turns grey (Off).
6. Close the Settings app entirely, and then reopen it (this forces the menu to refresh and reveal hidden options).
7. Navigate back to Accounts > Sign-in options.
8. Now, click on the PIN (Windows Hello) option at the top to expand it.
9. You will now see a button labeled Remove that was previously greyed out or hidden. Click it.
10. Windows will warn you. Click the Remove button a second time to confirm.
11. You will be prompted to type your actual Microsoft Account password to prove your identity. Type it and click OK.

The PIN is now permanently destroyed. Your computer will now allow you to use your standard password. If you want to bypass the login screen entirely (Auto-Login), you can now safely use the `netplwiz` command in the Run dialog (Win + R) to uncheck “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer,” which is only possible after the Windows Hello PIN restriction has been bypassed.