Forum Discussion
Problem with PIN Availability in Safe Mode
So I had a brand new system with windows 11 pro. Followed all the setup steps Microsoft tells you too and hit this issue, I had no password login set up...
- Because the setup process never asked me to or gave that option and
- Because Microsoft have removed it as a option from the sign in options
Safe mode is supposed to be a SAFE MODE to boot into where the core windows is running only in it's purest form. It should be THE most reliable method of getting windows itself to run.
The workaround now is to convert to local account but you only know to do this as a new install after you hit this issue and have to fix this bug yourself.
This is unacceptable and needs to be taken as a very high priority bug report. Fix pin sign ins extremely robustly or make setting up the password method part of first setup.
If you are going to force feed us cloud logins they need to be working fully and not a time bomb before you get locked out of your own computer due to a bug that would not exist if it was using the normal approach.
- The fact the response in this thread is years old and the bug still exists is shocking
- The fact it's a bug in windows and it isn't all acknowledged as one and put in the backlog for fixing is unacceptable
- This fix suggested no longer works of adding a password method because why fix a big when you can make it worse
- This needs fixing ASAP, even if they want to force the cloud model they should fix the pin not working at at the very least add a better error message guiding the user into what to do next
To complicte the problem, a recent security update bug in April 2026 turned on BitLocker encryption without my consent. You'd be surprised how this can further mess up the whole situation.
I had used msconfig to login to safemode. This safeboot can only be undone by loging back in and changing the setting in msconfig. So, if you didn't have a local account running to sign into the safe mode, your PC will be stuck in a boot loop that cannot get past the safe mode login screen.
The other way around is to force trigger the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) by hard shutting your PC off several times during power on loading screen. Then use command prompt to delete the safeboot request.
But guess what?
The WinRE boot menu told me to enter my BitLocker key in order to run command prompt, or even to do a system restore! In other words, I needed a BitLocker key that I clearly never consented to setting up, to access my own device.
Luckily, the BitLocker key was found on my Microsoft account devices page. It had a key for each of my Windows 11 devices, even though I declined BitLocker encryption during all initial device setup.
That was the only way I could use command prompt to clear the safeboot loop.
I know many people who had to do a fresh install to solve the same problem. It just sucks!
I have the same problem. I set up a home network on WIN 11 Home before Microsoft switched to a pin. I'm trying to add a new PC with Win 11 Pro and have NO WAY to connect because it wants the passnord, not the PIN. HELP!!!
I totally agree, this is insane. I have errors that I need to access safe mode to fix, but I can't access safe mode due to errors. Thankfully I managed to disable bitlocker because that loop was a world of pain but I still am in a loop. I sent my laptop back to ASUS a few months ago for repairs, they replaced motherboard apparently and didn't find any issues. But the problems have all come back. And, of course, it is no longer under warranty
Just ran into this, wasted like an hour.
At least add a warning when setting up PIN that it makes it clear that SAFE MODE will be inaccessible?
Oh and also why not an option to exit safe mode without having to go into console to run "bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot?"
I fully agree. I built a new computer and couldn't even login to it without a Microsoft account. Trying to use DDU to uninstall gfc card. Can't do it. No way into safe mode with or without networking, it's absolutely disgusting. No idea what to do.
Try using Safe Mode With Networking because that is the option Microsoft tells you to use when you have a PIN set up.
Just tried that.... nope. Does not work.
Doesntt work.
