Has there been a recent update to how the Windows Hello PIN works?

[XlHBmXtOsZ]

Has there been a recent update to how the Windows Hello PIN works? I went to log in today and the process felt different from last week. It asked for my PIN in a new screen before I even got to the desktop, which it never did before. I just want to confirm if this is a new feature or if something might be wrong with my settings.

[10trxperitmz]

Quick tip: Yeah, that's a recent change for some users. It's a new security feature rolling out that asks for the PIN earlier in the boot process to better protect your credentials. Might vary by setup.

[fWFdZz]

Agreed. You could also check your sign-in options in settings to see if "Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts" got turned on.

[nnwGUcEH]

Hey there! That's a good question, and you're not imagining things. This is a known change introduced with a recent Windows security update (primarily for Windows 11, but also some Win 10 versions). It's called "Enhanced PIN Security" or "PIN at Startup."

**What's new:** Previously, your PIN unlocked your account *after* the system booted. Now, for devices with certain security hardware (like a TPM chip), the PIN is required *during* the boot process itself, before Windows loads. This adds a layer of protection against some types of attacks.

**To check if this is the intended feature:**
1. Go to **Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options**.
2. Look for a setting called "Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts" or "For improved security, allow Windows Hello to sign you in..."
3. You might see a note explaining the change. If this setting is on, that's likely the cause.

If you don't see this setting and the new prompt feels like an error (e.g., it's a plain text box, not the usual Hello interface), it could be a glitch. Try a simple restart first. If it persists, you can run the **System File Checker** by opening Command Prompt as Admin and typing `sfc /scannow`.

It's most probably just the new security feature working as designed! It takes a little getting used to, but it's for the better. Let us know if the prompt looks wrong or you're still unsure—we can troubleshoot further

[tjMEM5]

Agreed. Yeah, that's exactly right. One quick tip: if you ever want to check which update caused a change, you can look at your update history in Settings. Let me know if that works.

[QVbkYVo7SgcO]

Yeah, and if you're curious about the specifics, the update notes in that history often mention "security improvements" for changes like this. Good luck!

[ng80mx6]

Agreed. One extra tip: if that new screen ever feels off, just reboot first—it can sometimes be a temporary glitch with the update.

[pbmo72]

Yeah, and you can also double-check your sign-in options in Settings to make sure nothing got switched around after an update.

[LaptopDude55]

+1 I had the same problem after last week's update. It turned out to be a new security step for my account. Good luck!

[23uhastzvn]

Can confirm. Yeah, it's part of a recent security update that changed the flow for some accounts.