"Your PIN is no longer available" can't log into W11 account

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

I can not get into Windows 11 unless I log in as Administrator. On the opening screen this message appears: "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device. Click to set up your PIN again."

I assume a recent Windows update has changed or corrupted something. I tried getting into the NGC folder, but it says I don't have permissions to do that.

How do I fix this?

please see the pic

Futurdreamz · Mar 9, 2023

What happens when you try to change the pin in the settings app? And the guides I've found about the NGC folder just tell you to delete it, not read or edit it's contents.

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

Futurdreamz said:
What happens when you try to change the pin in the settings app? And the guides I've found about the NGC folder just tell you to delete it, not read or edit it's contents.

When I click on "change my PIN" or "I forgot my PIN", nothing happens.

Sir_George · Mar 9, 2023

Gyrobob said:
I can not get into Windows 11 unless I log in as Administrator. On the opening screen this message appears: "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device. Click to set up your PIN again."

I assume a recent Windows update has changed or corrupted something. I tried getting into the NGC folder, but it says I don't have permissions to do that.

How do I fix this?

please see the pic

The link below has some information on this issue.

How to Fix 'Your PIN is No Longer Available' on Windows 11

Some Windows 11 are reporting that after installing an update, they are no longer able to get past the login screen. Upon inserting the correct PIN, they

appuals.com

Mark Phelps · Mar 9, 2023

I don't know if this is your issue -- but I ran into the very same complaint when I changed motherboards recently -- but that was due to the PIN being tied to the old motherboard -- so it was to be expected.

I'm presuming this is a new clean install, and if you are reusing a product key you used on another PC, you will run into the same issue.

I was able to fix mine by changing the login to an MSN account, and then after that worked, changing it back to a local account.

neves · Mar 9, 2023

Just reset it by clearing the TPM.

Windows Start - > Search (or use the search from taskbar) and look for "security processor troubleshooting". Click on it and then click on "Clear TPM" - > "Clear and Restart" and it will delete all your Pin data (or any other TPU based security you have set). On next boot - you'll get the same warning but you should be able to change it now.

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

Sir_George said:
The link below has some information on this issue.

How to Fix 'Your PIN is No Longer Available' on Windows 11

Some Windows 11 are reporting that after installing an update, they are no longer able to get past the login screen. Upon inserting the correct PIN, they

appuals.com

Thanks for the info, but I have tried that one and it comes up with screens that don't match what shows up on my cptr. I suspect the procedure in that link might be applicable prior to the recent windows 11 update. The last item in that link is "Change NGC Permissions" it looked great up until the very last steps where said again "access is denied" (please see the pics) It does seem strange that the NGC permissions are not allowed to be changed by any user in any account including the Administrator. Got any other ideas?

Brink · Mar 9, 2023

Hello Gyrobob, and welcome.

If you are able to sign in to the built-in Administrator account, you can see if option two below may sort this for you.

Remove PIN from Account in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to remove the Windows Hello PIN sign-in option from your account in Windows 11. Windows Hello is a more personal, more secure way to get instant access to your Windows 11 devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. You'll need to set up a PIN as part...

www.elevenforum.com

Sven1458 · Mar 9, 2023

Pardon me for butting in here,
I went to the link: how to fix..... from above post and read it.
so if i delete the file (Ngc) the computer will boot normally without a password or pin?
what if i don't set a new pin, will it keep booting?
Thanks

Brink · Mar 9, 2023

Sven1458 said:
Pardon me for butting in here,
I went to the link: how to fix..... from above post and read it.
so if i delete the file (Ngc) the computer will boot normally without a password or pin?
what if i don't set a new pin, will it keep booting?
Thanks

Hello,

You would want to turn off For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device first to make sure you have any other available sign-in options available.

Dru2 · Mar 9, 2023

Gyrobob said:
I can not get into Windows 11 unless I log in as Administrator. On the opening screen this message appears: "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device. Click to set up your PIN again."

In addition to the suggestion Brink posted, there should be an option to use your Microsoft account to log in. Once that's done you can reset your pin or disable using it. Been there done that.

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

neves said:
Just reset it by clearing the TPM.

Windows Start - > Search (or use the search from taskbar) and look for "security processor troubleshooting". Click on it and then click on "Clear TPM" - > "Clear and Restart" and it will delete all your Pin data (or any other TPU based security you have set). On next boot - you'll get the same warning but you should be able to change it now.

You say, "it will delete all your PIN data or any other TPU based security you have set" ....... That sounds kind of scary.

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
I don't know if this is your issue -- but I ran into the very same complaint when I changed motherboards recently -- but that was due to the PIN being tied to the old motherboard -- so it was to be expected.

I'm presuming this is a new clean install, and if you are reusing a product key you used on another PC, you will run into the same issue.

I was able to fix mine by changing the login to an MSN account, and then after that worked, changing it back to a local account.

Sorry, but I don't know what you mean by "changing the login to an MSN account"

Gyrobob · Mar 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
In addition to the suggestion Brink posted, there should be an option to use your Microsoft account to log in. Once that's done you can reset your pin or disable using it. Been there done that.

How do I get into a Microsoft account without using Windows 11?

Dru2 · Mar 9, 2023

Gyrobob said:
How do I get into a Microsoft account without using Windows 11?

Do you not get the box shown in the link I posted? If so, simply click "Sign in options, and use your Microsoft credentials instead. Now if you're saying you have no Microsoft account, well than I suggest you follow Brink's instructions.

neves · Mar 9, 2023

Gyrobob said:
You say, "it will delete all your PIN data or any other TPU based security you have set" ....... That sounds kind of scary.

Correction it will "reset (to default)". You'll just have to remove the default pin at restart and then add a new one (your own).

Dru2 · Mar 9, 2023

neves said:
Correction it will "reset (to default)". You'll just have to remove the default pin at restart and then add a new one (your own).

Be aware you can't do jack until you're able to get into the system. After that, you can do whatever you want with the pin option.

neves · Mar 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
Be aware you can't do jack until you're able to get into the system. After that, you can do whatever you want with the pin option.

You can also set a password (since this option/feature is not TPM dependent). TPM goes hand in hand with Windows Hello feature - thus, it will reset (set to default) - all the Windows Hello settings (Facial recognition, Fingerprint recognition or PIN). But not the other settings (it's not like a Factory Reset - it's not tied to other windows features or settings).

Dru2 · Mar 9, 2023

neves said:
TPM goes hand in hand with Windows Hello feature - thus, it will reset (set to default) - all the Windows Hello settings (Facial recognition, Fingerprint recognition or PIN). But not the other settings (it's not like a Factory Reset - it's not tied to other windows features or settings).

Thanks, but I'm well aware of TPM having posted on the subject many times in these forums

neves · Mar 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
Thanks, but I'm well aware of TPM having posted on the subject many times in these forums

Was talking from experience. Had a similar issue with the PIN - after switching to a local account (apparently Windows Hello features - work better with a Microsoft account). Clearing the TPM and removing the PIN after restart - then set it again - is what worked for me.