How to set Password as default login method

Question

Win11 - Home - Local Account
Not long ago, I made a small mistake:
Since then, Windows wants me to login with Username + PIN, instead of Username + Password.
I am looking for an option to make Username + Password the default.
Where PIN is Plan B if the Password does not remember me.
There was an AI suggesting to update the value in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Settings\AllowSignInOptions
from 1 to 0. making a reference to an article from 2022:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4271235/disable-windows-hello-prompt-entirely-on-logon-scr
Well, I don't want to disable the PIN, it shall just not be the primary login method.

Answer 1

Hi matjung,

Good day. I'm Jhun an independent advisor. In regards with your query, there is no supported setting in Windows 11 Home that lets you choose "always default to Password first" while keeping PIN available as a fall-back. Windows 11 tends to default to the last used sign-in method (PIN, password, fingerprint, face, etc.) So if you signed in last with a PIN, it’ll often assume you want that method again next time.

But here are some workarounds you can do.

A. Always log in using Password last. Windows remembers the method you last used. If you make a habit of signing in with your password instead of PIN, Windows should default to password next time, even though PIN is still available.

1. At the login screen, click Sign-in options.
2. Choose the key icon for Password.
3. Log in with your password.
4. Repeat this for a few reboots, Windows will start showing Password first.
5. This is the practical way to “prefer” password without disabling PIN.

B. Disable automatic Windows Hello enforcement (so password isn’t hidden). Sometimes Windows hides the password option if “only allow Windows Hello sign-in” is enabled.

1. Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Scroll and turn off: For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device. If this is present, this restores visibility of the password option.

C. Remove PIN. If your remove PIN entirely, Windows must fall back to using your password every time.

1. Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello) > Remove.
2. You'll need to confirm with your password.

This is not what you want, but relevant.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jhun