Can a Microsoft account user's Windows Hello PIN be changed from another administrator account?

Question

Hello,

I have a Windows 11 PC with multiple user accounts.

My main account is a Microsoft account. I cannot sign in to it because Windows only offers fingerprint authentication, but the fingerprint cannot be used because Windows first requires a Windows Hello PIN to be set up.

The problem is that I cannot sign in to set up the PIN, and the sign-in screen does not show any other sign-in options (such as password or PIN).

I currently have access to another administrator account. If anybody reading this knows what I mean, I also have access to a command prompt with "SYSTEM" level privileges for advanced troubleshooting.

Is it possible to change or recreate the Windows Hello PIN for my Microsoft account from another administrator account, without signing in to that account first?

Thank you for your time reading this.

Answer 1

Hello

Unless the account is a local user, your other administrator has no way to reset PIN or password if an account is linked to Microsoft account.

You said it requires a Windows Hello PIN to be set up, may I ask for some clarification? Does it ask you to set up PIN but doesnt offer you the steps there to set it up? Were you able to log into that user before?

To make sure it is indeed properly linked to a Microsoft account, sign into your other admin, then hold down Win+R keys, type in netplwiz and press enter. When it is launched, does it list the other user's email address?