Windows 11 has changed my login pin and wont allow me to log in and change it

Question

I recently upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 on my tablet and now it wont let me in. It says "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device. Click to set up your PIN again."

That's where the problems start as it want me to log in with an outlook email account I don't have (and therefore don't have a password for) or to send a text to a land line number I no longer have. It just goes around and around and around.

Answer 1

Hi Barry,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I’m really sorry you’re stuck in this loop after upgrading. Being locked out because Windows insists on a sign‑in method you have lost must be frustrating.

Unfortunately, Windows 11 normally requires the user to sign in with a Microsoft Account (unless you configured it prior, which is not applied to this case as it seems). That’s likely why the system linked to an account you previously used.

Since you don’t have access to the old account, your options are limited. In the worst‑case scenario, you may have to reset the device, and that would mean losing the data currently on it. Hope we don't need to get to that, but I need to prepare you up-front.

1 - Use the official recovery methods

• Go to https://account.live.com/password/reset
• Try the outlook address > Start the recovery process.
• Or fill out the Microsoft account recovery form - Microsoft Support
  • Open Recover your account
  • Enter as many details as possible.
  • Wait for the recovery team to get back.
  • Once you get access to your account, use it to sign in.

2 - Use offline account to access PC and your files

• On the lock screen, hold Shift and select Restart (power icon)
• Keep holding Shift until you get to Windows Recovery Environment:
  • If it doesn’t work, you need to force shutting down tablet 3 times
  • Each device has a different way to enter WinRE, check to ensure.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt
• Type the following (replace the name/password if you want):
  • net user TempAdmin StrongPassword123 /add
  • net localgroup administrators TempAdmin /add
• Restart PC and try to log in using TempAdmin and StrongPassword123
• If it fails, you might need to enable the built-in Administrator instead:
  • Go back to Command Prompt > run net user Administrator /active:yes
  • You can restart and login that account (usually has no password)
  • When you’re done, disable with net user Administrator /active:no
• After signing in, try to remove/reset the broken PIN for the main account.
• If you can’t, check C:\Users for account folder > save the files to the new one.

3 - Restore a system image or roll back to Windows 10 (if available)

• If the tablet still keeps Windows.old, the upgrade might be reversible.
• Open WinRE and go to Advanced options as instructed above
• Check if there’s a Go back to previous version option.
• Configure your account / PIN in Windows 10.

If none of the above is available, you might need to do a factory reset. Open WinRE > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. If you’re lucky, choose Keep my files, then start over with creating a fresh account on setup.

Also, it’d be helpful if you can share the exact tablet model! Just tell me which brand/model you're using, and I can help look for more detailed steps for it!

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Answer 2

It sounds like you're encountering an issue with Windows Hello and PIN login after upgrading to Windows 11. When you see the message stating that your PIN is no longer available, it typically indicates that there has been a change in the security settings that requires you to set up your PIN again. Here are some steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Sign Out and Sign Back In: Sometimes, simply signing out and signing back in can resolve the issue.
2. Use a Different Login Method: If you have the option, try logging in with your Microsoft account password instead of the PIN.
3. Reset Your PIN: If prompted, follow the instructions to set up your PIN again. If you do not have access to the email or phone number for verification, you may need to recover your Microsoft account.
4. Contact Microsoft Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue with the above steps, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. They can help you regain access to your account and reset your security settings.

If you need more specific troubleshooting steps or encounter error codes, please refer to the relevant Microsoft documentation or support articles.

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References:

• Windows Hello errors during PIN creation
• Windows Hello errors during PIN creation
• I need to speak with a real person and it seems impossible. - Microsoft Q&A
• I want to choose which email to send from - Microsoft Q&A