If you’re tired of entering your PIN every time you boot up a Windows 11 PC, the natural thing to do is go straight to Sign-in options… only to find the Remove button is greyed out. Don’t worry: your computer hasn’t decided to rebel. This is a Windows Hello security setting that, by default, forces “passwordless” methods on Microsoft accounts. In this guide—now that you already know how to use free Windows 11 codes—I’ll show you how to disable that restriction so you can remove the PIN, what alternatives you have for signing in, and how to turn it back on if you change your mind.
The key idea is simple: first you need to allow Windows to accept “classic” sign-in methods (like a password), and only then will you be able to remove the PIN. Everything is done from Settings, and in some cases from your Microsoft account in a browser.
Steps to remove the PIN in Windows 11
Windows 11 groups these settings under Accounts, so the path is pretty straightforward—although there’s a “gotcha toggle” that’s usually what blocks the option to remove the PIN.
Start by opening Settings from the Start menu (you can search for “Settings” using the built-in search). Once inside, go to Accounts and scroll down to Sign-in options. There you’ll see several available sign-in methods, along with a block of additional settings.
If, when you expand PIN (Windows Hello), the button to remove it is disabled, scroll to Additional settings and find the option that says: “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (recommended)”. Turn the toggle off. This setting is enabled by default so that Windows Hello (and, by extension, the PIN) is mandatory for Microsoft accounts, so it’s normal for it to be the reason it’s blocked.
After that, go back to Accounts and open Sign-in options again to “refresh” the menu (Windows sometimes doesn’t update the status instantly). Now open PIN (Windows Hello) and you should see the Remove option available. When you press it, Windows will ask you to confirm and will usually require your account password to complete the change. Once you’re done, the PIN will no longer be required to sign in on that PC.
The funny part? The system frames it as a security improvement, but in practice it’s also a way to push Windows Hello usage—very much in line with the “passwordless” trend across the ecosystem (yes, even when you just want to turn on your PC and open the browser).
If the option to remove the PIN is still greyed out: fixes
On most devices, disabling the Windows Hello restriction is enough. If it still won’t let you, there are two routes that usually unlock things without endlessly digging through menus.
The first is to switch to a local account temporarily. Go to Settings > Accounts, open Your info, and look for Sign in with a local account instead. Windows will ask you to confirm the change, click Next, and to continue, enter your current PIN. Then you’ll need to set up the local account details (username and password) and finish with Sign out and finish. Once that’s done, go back to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, open PIN (Windows Hello), and try removing it again.
The second solution is to change a security setting in your Microsoft account from a browser. In Settings > Accounts, go to Your info and, under Related settings, select Accounts (it appears as “Manage my accounts”). A browser window will open with your Microsoft account; go to the Security tab and look for the Manage how I sign in button. Under additional security, disable the passwordless account option. Restart your PC and try removing the PIN again from Sign-in options in Windows 11.
These two paths make sense because the lockout doesn’t always depend solely on the local menu—it can also be tied to how the sign-in experience is configured for your Microsoft account. In other words: sometimes the “greyed out” state isn’t a bug, it’s a security policy applied from above.
Is it safe to remove the PIN? Alternatives and how to enable it again
Removing the PIN is safe only if you keep another sign-in method enabled. Windows 11 supports multiple options, so you can do without a PIN as long as you don’t leave the device wide open to anyone. If you remove the PIN and have no other authentication method set up, the risk is obvious: anyone with physical access to the computer could get in without barriers.
Available alternatives include Windows Hello methods like facial recognition via camera or a fingerprint reader (if your laptop or keyboard includes one). That said, these systems can fail depending on lighting, angles, or sensors, so it’s worth having a backup plan. Another option is a security key—a physical device that can be USB or NFC—useful if you’re comfortable with this kind of accessory and don’t mind the “don’t lose the key” factor like it’s some sci-fi mission gadget.
And if you change your mind later, enabling the PIN again is just as simple: go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello) and choose Add, following the on-screen instructions.
When creating a new PIN, Windows recommends avoiding obvious combinations or personal data (birthdays, typical patterns like 1234 or 1111), choosing numbers that are easy for you to remember but hard to guess, and even using a code with personal meaning that isn’t obvious to others. One detail many people overlook: if you use a PIN across different services, the best practice is not to reuse it, just like you would with passwords.
