Generally speaking, Microsoft offers Windows users a lot of ways to secure their devices and Windows Hello PIN is one of them. In most of the cases, it only takes a bit of work to set up Windows Hello PIN on Windows computers. That being said, like other features of Windows, Windows Hello PIN may malfunction out of the blue. Read to end if you come across Windows Hello PIN “This option is currently unavailable” and don’t know what to do.
The Usual Suspects
Corrupted NGC Folder
For your information, the NGC folder is used to store and manage PIN-related information. In the event that this folder becomes corrupted, you may not be able to use your PIN as a sign-in option.
Windows Hello Group Policy Settings
A recent Windows update may have altered Windows Hello Group Policy Settings which could mess up the operation of Windows Hello PIN. Thus, regarding Windows Hello PIN “This option is currently unavailable”, you should take Windows Hello Group Policy Settings into account.
Windows Hello PIN “This Option Is Currently Unavailable”: Solutions
Use ‘I Forgot My PIN’
- Step 1: Type settings in Search bar then hit enter.
- Step 2: Navigate to Accounts, look to the left and click on Sign-in options.
- Step 3: Select Windows Hello PIN.
- Step 4: Navigate to I Forgot my PIN option, click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Step 5: Enter your Microsoft account’s password. Next, you can choose between two options, setting a new PIN or using an old PIN. Make up your mind then go back to the sign–in option and determine whether the issue persists.
Delete NGC Folder And Add A New PIN
- Step 1: Press Windows + E to open File Explorer then navigate to the following path; C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC.
- Step 2: Open NGC folder, highlight all the content and press delete.
- Step 3: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Step 4: Navigate to Accounts and click on the Sign-in option.
- Step 5: Select Windows Hello PIN.
- Step 6: Choose Add to add the new PIN.
- Step 7: Enter your Microsoft accounts password and click OK.
- Step 8: In the new window, enter a 4-digit PIN and enter the same PIN in the nearby box.
- Step 9: Close Setting, restart your device and see how things turn out
Take Advantage of Registry Editor
Note: It’s a good idea to create a backup of files and folders before applying changes in Registry Editor.
- Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the RUN dialogue box
- Step 2: Type “regedit” and click OK to open Registry Editor
- Step 3: Navigate to the following path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
- Step 4: Locate a file named AllowDomainPINLogon. If you cannot see such a file, right-click on the empty white space, click New>DWORD (32 bit) value and rename the file to AllowDomainPINLogon.
- Step 5: Double click on the named file, set the value to 1 and close the Registry Editor. Last but not least, restart your computer.
Create A New Administrator Account
Another solution forWindows Hello PIN “This option is currently unavailable” is to create an Administrator account then set up the PIN. To do so, you should go through the steps down below:
- Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Step 2: Navigate to Accounts> Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC
- Step 3: Click on I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Step 4: Then click Add a user without a Microsoft account
- Step 5: Enter a Username, set a new password and confirm it.
- Step 6: Click Next to complete the process.
- Step 7: Logout of the current account and login into the newly created account
- Step 8: Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to Accounts and click Sign-in options
- Step 9: Select Windows Hello PIN and choose Add to add the new PIN
- Step 10: On the Windows security prompt, enter your Microsoft Account’s password and click OK
- Step 11: Enter the 4-digit PIN and confirm it by clicking OK
- Step 12: Restart your device
Perform A Windows Reset
All in all, a Windows reset reverts your device settings back to Windows default settings and that should put an end to many errors. To perform a Windows reset, you need to go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC then click Get Started
Why Is My PC Asking For A PIN?
Following the 20H2 update, when a Windows update finishes, the computer may require you to enter a PIN instead of a password.
How Do I Recover My Windows 10 PIN?
- Step 1: Sign in to Windows 10 using alternative credentials
- Step 2: Go to Settings, select Account and choose Sign-in options
- Step 3: Under PIN, click I forgot my PIN and follow the instructions
Can I Bypass Windows Hello Face?
Back in the old days, it was possible to trick the Windows Hello Face by using a combination of single infrared images and external USB webcams. However, Microsoft has fixed that.
What Is The Purpose Of Windows Hello?
Windows Hello is a new Windows feature that allows users to have secure and instant access to their devices. Via Windows Hello, Windows users could set up PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition protection.
Does Windows Hello Face Work With A Mask?
Currently, Windows Hello Face does not support users wearing a mask during authentication. Reason? It’s a security concern as other people wearing the same mask as the users may be able to unlock devices.
How Many Fingerprints Can Windows Hello Store?
There is no limitation to the number of fingerprints that can be stored by Hello Fingerprints.
Can Windows Hello PIN Be Hacked?
No software currently in existence is known to be able to hack Windows Hello PIN. PIN is backed up by TPM hardware so there is no way to overcome it.
