Cannot set a PIN

Hi all.  For years I have been using a pin to sign into windows.  Recently, after a BIOS update, Windows said my PIN was no longer available due to security settings change.  Tried everything I could research on the issue with no luck.  I finally had to call windows tech support just to get back on my PC.  After about two hours of waiting finally got a technician who had me do some regedit changes so that I could sign on with my Microsoft User password.  I went into account settings and deleted the PIN, and tried to set a new one.  It tells me because I am assessing personal data that it will send me a code to my hotmail address to use to set a new PIN. Well, I never get that code sent to my hotmail account.  I have tried every other option I can find and nothing works.  I can still sign in with my password, but cannot set a PIN which is much easier.  Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do to fix this?  I really do not want to sit on the drop dead line for two hours again.