Select I forgot my PIN instead of Change PIN; the reset process verifies your account and lets you create a new PIN without entering the old one.^1^
If you are already signed in
- Open Start → Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
- Expand PIN (Windows Hello).
- Select I forgot my PIN—not Change PIN.
- Complete the account-verification prompts and create a new PIN.
Change PIN is intended for someone who knows the existing PIN, which is why that option asks for it.
If you are at the Windows sign-in screen
- Microsoft account: Select I forgot my PIN below the PIN box and complete verification. This option is available for Microsoft accounts.
- Local account: Select Sign-in options → Enter your password, sign in with the local-account password, and then reset the PIN from Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello) → I forgot my PIN.^1^
If you also forgot the local-account password, select the password entry option, choose OK → Reset password, and answer the security questions created for that account.
If you cannot verify your Microsoft account
From the sign-in screen, use whichever option appears:
- Sign-in options → Web sign-in → Forgot my password, or
- I forgot my password.
After recovering the Microsoft account password, return to I forgot my PIN and create the replacement PIN.^1^
Avoid deleting the Windows Hello/NGC folder unless the documented reset option is unavailable or fails; forgetting the PIN alone does not require that advanced repair.
References