How to Set Picture Password in Windows 8/Windows 8.1?

Windows 8/Windows 8.1 has a new authentication method using which you can choose any picture of your choice, and can set any three-step pattern of mouse or finger movement in order to authenticate your identity using that pattern while signing in.

The process of authenticating your identity using a pattern on any image is similar to the one that you generally use to unlock your mobile devices. However the difference is that in mobile phones and other mobile devices, they have a pre-defined image that you use to set your pattern, whereas in Windows 8/Windows 8.1, you can select your own image and set a three-step pattern of your choice.

Here is how you can choose your own image and set a three-step pattern to authenticate your identity while signing-in on Windows 8/Windows 8.1:

    ■Log on to Windows 8/Windows 8.1 using your personal account on which you want to set picture password.
    ■On the Start screen, hover mouse to the bottom-right corner of the window.
    ■From the Charms bar, click Settings.
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    ■From the Settings pane, click Change PC settings from the bottom.
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    ■On the opened PC settings window, from the left pane, click the Accounts category.
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    ■On the Accounts window, from the left pane, click the Sign-in options category.
    ■From the right pane, under the Picture password section, click Add.
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    ■On the opened box, in the available field, provide your current password to continue.
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    ■On the new window that opens up, click Use this picture from the left pane to start with the pattern setting process. Alternatively you can also click Choose new picture, and from the opened window, browse and/locate any other picture of your choice.

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10. Assuming that you have selected a picture, and have clicked Choose this picture, on the Set up your gestures window, move your mouse or finger in three different patterns (lines, circles, and/or taps).
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11. Once done, repeat the same patterns one more time to confirm the three-step picture password pattern.
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12. After you are done, click Finish.
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13. To try the new authentication method, log off from the user account, and log back in. You will be displayed with the same picture that you have selected to set up the three-step password pattern.
14. On the picture, draw the same pattern that you drew while setting up the pattern to sign-in to Windows 8/Windows 8.1.
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15. If you ever forget the pattern, you can click the Switch to password button from the left pane, and provide the password to sign-in to Windows.