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Enable PIN Protection for Windows 8/Windows 8.1 User Accounts

This Tutorial addresses:
  • Windows 8
  • User Accounts
Apart from having password protection for user accounts, Windows 8/Windows 8.1 also allows users to enable PIN protection. When PIN protection is enabled, users can choose either of sign-in option, i.e. password or PIN, in order to log on to the Windows.

Protecting the user accounts using the PIN provides an alternate method of authentication for the users which is also an easy way of signing in to the user accounts.

By default the PIN protection is disabled in Windows 8/Windows 8.1 is for simplicity reasons. However it is recommended that the PIN production should be enabled in home PCs in order to make it simple for the users to sign in to the operating system. On the other hand, if the computer is used in offices or other production environments, the PIN protection can be left disabled in order to reduce the loopholes for the breach of security.

In order to enable the PIN protection in Windows 8/Windows 8.1, the steps given below must be followed:

  1. Log on to the Windows 8/Windows 8.1 computer using your personal account.
  2. From the Start screen, hover mouse to the bottom-right corner of the window.
  3. From the displayed Charms bar, click Settings.

  4. From the bottom of the Settings pane, click Change PC settings.

  5. On the opened PC settings window, from the left pane, click the Accounts category.

  6. From the Account window, from the left pane, click Sign-in options.
  7. From the right pane, under the PIN section, click the Add button.

  8. On the Create a PIN box that opens up, in the available field, type the current password of the logged on user account, and click OK to proceed.

  9. On the next box that comes up, in the Enter PIN and Confirm PIN fields, type and retype a four digits PIN that you want to use while signing in to Windows 8/Windows 8.1.


  • 10. Once done, click Finish to confirm the changes.
    11. In order to verify if the modifications have been applied to the computer, log off from the currently signed in user account, and sign back in using the newly configured PIN number.
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