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miles01's avatar
miles01
Copper Contributor
Feb 04, 2026

microsoft hello pin in need of rest is there a way to hard rest it??

i can not rest my hello pin it keeps saying ivaild pin  and when i go to rest it i cant because ive forgoten my current hello pin and i cant restart my desktop because it also asks for the same hello pin is there a way to bypass this and rest it  please help

1 Reply

  • Josh_Montoya's avatar
    Josh_Montoya
    Copper Contributor

    Method 1: Reset PIN from Windows Settings (All editions)

     

    Works for Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise

    Requires that you are already signed in

     

    Steps

     

    Open Settings

    Go to Accounts

    Select Sign‑in options

    Under Ways to sign in, select PIN (Windows Hello)

    Click Change PIN

    Verify your identity (password, MFA, or security key)

    Enter a new PIN

    Click OK

     

    Notes

     

    PIN complexity (length, digits only, etc.) is controlled by:

    Home / Pro: local policy defaults

    Enterprise: Intune or Group Policy

    PINs are device‑bound, not synced between devices

     

    Method 2: “I forgot my PIN” from the sign‑in screen

     

    Best option if you can’t log in

     

    Windows 11 Home

     

    Steps

     

    At the Windows sign‑in screen, select Sign‑in options

    Choose PIN

    Click I forgot my PIN

    Sign in with your Microsoft account password

    Complete verification (email / SMS / authenticator)

    Create a new PIN

     

     No admin required

    Internet connection required

     

    Windows 11 Pro

     

    Same steps as Home unless the device uses a local account.

     

    If using a local account

     

    You must know the local account password

    If the password is unknown, skip to Method 4 (NGC reset)

     

    Windows 11 Enterprise (Entra ID / Azure AD joined)

     

    Steps

     

    Select I forgot my PIN

    Authenticate using:

    Entra ID password

    MFA (if required)

    Device checks policy compliance

    Set a new PIN

     

    Method 3: Remove PIN from Settings (Home & Pro only)

     

     Often blocked in Enterprise

     

    Steps

     

    Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options

    Select PIN (Windows Hello)

    Click Remove

    Confirm with password

    Re‑add PIN if desired

     

    Note: Enterprise devices typically disable PIN removal via policy.

     

     

     

    Method 4: Reset PIN by deleting the NGC folder (Advanced)

     

     Works for Home, Pro, Enterprise

    Requires local administrator access

     

    Use this only if other methods fail.

     

    Steps

     

    Boot into Safe Mode

    Hold Shift

    Select Restart

    Choose:

    Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart

    Press 4 (Safe Mode)

    Take ownership of the NGC folder

     

    Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

     

    BAT

     

    takeown /F C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /R /D Y

     

    icacls C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC /grant administrators:F /T

     

     

     

    Delete the contents of the folder

     

    BAT

     

    del /s C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC\*

     

    Show more lines

     

    Do not delete the NGC folder itself—only its contents.

     

    Reboot normally

    Restart Windows

    Sign in with password

    Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options

    Create a new PIN

     

    What this does (important)

     

    Clears TPM‑bound PIN keys

    Forces Windows to regenerate Windows Hello credentials

    Does not affect passwords or BitLocker

     

    Enterprise‑specific considerations

     

    Intune / MDM policies

     

    Device configuration → Identity protection

    Windows Hello for Business

    PIN length

    Complexity

    PIN expiration (rare but possible)

     

    Common reasons PIN reset fails

     

    Device not compliant

    TPM attestation failure

    Offline during reset

    WHfB set to Required, but enrollment incomplete

     

    Logs to check

     

    Plain Text

     

    Event Viewer -> Applications and Services Logs -> Microsoft -> Windows ->HelloForBusiness