Windows 11 pushes PIN login as a quick, secure way to access your PC, but sometimes you just want to ditch it for a password or need to comply with workplace rules. The problem? Options to remove it can be grayed out, group policies can block changes, or a forgotten PIN can lock you out. How do you get rid of the PIN when things go wrong? This guide walks you through simple settings tweaks, advanced tricks, and recovery steps to disable PIN login, plus introduces WPS Office to keep your productivity humming on Windows 11.
Part 1: Basic Methods – Remove PIN via Windows 11 Settings
The easiest way to remove your PIN in Windows 11 is through the Settings app, a method praised on Microsoft Answers for its simplicity. This works for most personal PCs unless workplace policies interfere. Here’s how to turn off PIN sign-in Windows 11:
Step-by-Step: Remove PIN via Settings
Step 1: Press Win + I to open Settings, then click Accounts > Sign-in options.
Step 2: Under “PIN (Windows Hello),” click Remove next to “Remove this sign-in option.”
Step 3: Enter your Microsoft account password when prompted to verify your identity.
Step 4: Click OK to confirm, then restart your PC to apply the change.
Step 5: Log in with your password to ensure the PIN is gone.
Note: If the “Remove” button is grayed out, group policies (common in work devices) may enforce PIN usage. Check with your IT admin or try Part 2’s advanced methods.
My Experience: I zapped my PIN in under a minute on my home PC, but the grayed-out option on my work laptop sent me digging into advanced fixes.
Part 2: Advanced Methods of Removing PIN from Windows 11
If the Settings method fails—say, due to workplace restrictions or a glitch—advanced tools like Command Prompt or Registry Editor can bypass the issue. These methods, shared on Microsoft Answers, tackle stubborn PIN setups.
Method 1: Delete NGC Folder via Command Prompt
The NGC folder stores PIN data, and deleting it resets Windows Hello, removing the PIN. This requires admin rights and careful command entry.
Step-by-Step: Delete NGC Folder via Command Prompt
Step 1: Press Win + S, search “cmd,” right-click Command Prompt, select “Run as administrator.”
Step 2: Type takeown /F C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc /R /D Y and press Enter to take ownership.
Step 3: Type icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc /grant Administrators:F /T and press Enter to grant permissions.
Step 4: Type rmdir /S /Q C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc and press Enter to delete the folder.
Step 5: Restart your PC; the PIN will be gone, and you can log in with your password.
Method 2: Disable Windows Hello via Registry Editor
Editing the registry can block PIN logins by disabling Windows Hello features, useful when group policies lock settings.
Step-by-Step: Disable Windows Hello via Registry Editor
Step 1: Press Win + R, type “regedit,” press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System.
Step 3: Right-click System, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it BlockDomainPINLogon, set its value to 1.
Step 4: Click OK, then restart your PC.
Step 5: Check Settings > Sign-in options to confirm PIN is disabled or removed.
Deleting the NGC folder worked like magic on my work PC when Settings failed. The registry trick was a backup I didn’t need but felt good to know.
Part 3: Forgotten PIN? Recovery Tools & Account Reset
If you’ve forgotten your PIN and can’t log in, recovery options can reset or bypass it. A Microsoft Answers thread on forgotten PINs highlighted these methods for getting back into your PC.
Use Microsoft Account Recovery
At the login screen, you can reset your PIN using your Microsoft account, assuming you know the password.
Step-by-Step: Microsoft Account Recovery
Step 1: On the Windows 11 login screen, click I forgot my PIN below the PIN entry field.
Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account password (or reset it at account.live.com if forgotten).
Step 3: Follow prompts to verify your identity (e.g., via email or phone code).
Step 4: Create a new PIN or skip to use your password.
Step 5: Log in and optionally remove the PIN via Settings (Part 1).
Reset via Safe Mode
If you can’t access your Microsoft account, Safe Mode lets you reset your account password to bypass the PIN.
Step-by-Step: Reset via Safe Mode
Step 1: Restart your PC, press F8 or Shift + F8 during startup to access Advanced Boot Options, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt..
Step 2: At the Command Prompt, type net user [your-username] [new-password] (e.g., net user John 12345) and press Enter.
Step 3: Type exit, press Enter, and reboot normally.
Step 4: Log in with the new password.
Step 5: Go to Settings > Sign-in options to remove or reset the PIN.
I forgot my PIN once and used Microsoft’s recovery to reset it in minutes. Safe Mode was my fallback when I couldn’t access my account on an old PC.
Part 4: Optimize Productivity with WPS Office – A Seamless Windows 11 Companion
Costly MS Office
Microsoft 365’s $70+/year cost and 4GB install slow down Windows 11 PCs, per r/software complaints. Its constant updates hog resources, clashing with post-PIN removal workflows. WPS Office, free and lightweight, matches Office’s power without the price. It’s a no-brainer for cost-conscious users. Ditch the bloat for efficiency.
WPS Office: Built-In Tools
WPS Office’s 200MB install—1/3 of Microsoft 365—flies on Windows 11, per wps.com. Its AI-powered PDF-to-Word conversion and templates streamline tasks. The free tier, ad-free, handles .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with macro support, plus 1GB cloud sync. I used WPS on a 2019 Dell to edit a 50-page .xlsx, with AI fixing errors fast. Download WPS Office for a slick workflow—Download Now.
WPS’s dark mode and Snap Layouts mesh with Windows 11, per X reviews. Password-protected documents add security post-PIN removal. It runs on 2GB RAM systems without lag. The cloud sync saves files across devices. It’s perfect for students or pros.
Unlike Office’s subscription traps, WPS’s free tier covers 90% of needs. Its touch gestures enhance tablet use. Macro support rivals Office for power users. I multitasked with WPS on my Dell, no slowdowns. It’s a productivity powerhouse.
Tips: Enable WPS cloud sync for cross-device access. Use AI templates to speed up document creation.
How to Get WPS Office
Step 1: Visit the Site
Open a browser, hit www.wps.com for a secure download.
Step 2: Download WPS
Click “Free Download” to grab the ~200MB installer.
Step 3: Install WPS
Run installer, choose language, accept terms, click “Install Now.”
Step 4: Start Working
Launch WPS Office from desktop, edit files seamlessly.
After removing my PIN on a 2019 Dell, I swapped Microsoft 365 for WPS Office to avoid lag. A 50-page .xlsx project ran smoothly; AI templates cut editing time. My 4GB RAM PC handled multitasking—WPS is a must for turn off PIN sign-in Windows 11 users.
FAQs
Q1: Why can’t I see the “Remove PIN” option?
Workplace group policies or admin settings may lock it. Contact your IT admin or try the NGC folder deletion in Part 2.
Q2: Is deleting the NGC folder safe?
Yes, if you follow the steps exactly—it only removes PIN data, not other account info. Back up critical files first.
Q3: What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?
Reset it at account.live.com using your email or phone for verification, then retry PIN recovery.
Q4: Does WPS Office support Windows 11 features?
You bet—it’s optimized for dark mode, Snap Layouts, and touch gestures, running smoothly on all Windows 11 setups.
Summary
This guide empowers you to remove your Windows 11 PIN with ease, whether through the Settings app for a quick win or advanced methods like deleting the NGC folder or editing the registry to disable PIN login Windows 11. Forgotten PINs? Microsoft account recovery or Safe Mode resets have you covered, as shared by Microsoft Answers users. Once you’ve turned off PIN sign-in Windows 11, elevate your productivity with WPS Office—a free suite that’s a game-changer for document creation. Its AI-powered PDF conversion, smart templates, and seamless integration with Windows 11’s modern features like dark mode and Snap Layouts make it a standout choice. Visit wps.com to download WPS Office and transform your Windows 11 experience into a productivity powerhouse.
