Quick Guide: Change Minimum PIN Length in Windows 11 Easily

If you need to change the minimum and maximum PIN length on your Windows 11 device, this guide will help you do it easily.

How do I change the minimum PIN length for Windows 11?​

1. Using Group Policy Editor​

1. Hit the Windows + R key to open the Run command.
2. Type in gpedit.msc and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
   
   
3. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
4. Select PIN Complexity and double-click on the Minimum PIN Length option.
5. Check the Enabled option and in the input value under Minimum PIN Length, enter a larger number than four.
   
   
6. Note that the policy setting for the maximum PIN will apply if you’ve configured it and should be less than its largest. Once you fulfill these requirements, click on Apply, then OK to effect the changes.

By setting these values, you customize the lengths allowed for your Windows PIN, improving security based on your needs.

2. Using Registry Editor​

1. Open the Run Dialog Box
   • Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type regedit and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the PIN Complexity Key
   • In the Registry Editor, navigate to:
     Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft.
   • Check if there is a PassportForWork subkey. If not, right-click on Microsoft and select New > Key and name it PassportForWork.
3. Create the PINComplexity Key
   • Right-click on PassportForWork, select New > Key, and name it PINComplexity.
4. Set Maximum PIN Length
   • Right-click on PINComplexity, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MaximumPINLength.
   • Double-click on MaximumPINLength, select the Decimal option, and enter your desired maximum PIN length (e.g., 20). Click OK.
5. Set Minimum PIN Length
   • Right-click on PINComplexity, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MinimumPINLength.
   • Double-click on MinimumPINLength, select the Decimal option, and enter your desired minimum PIN length (e.g., 4). Click OK.
6. Restart Your Computer
   • Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Using the Registry Editor allows you to directly modify the system configurations, ensuring that your PIN length settings are precise and effective.

3. Troubleshooting PIN Complexity Issues in Windows 11 Domain​

1. Ensure Correct ADMX Files
   • Verify that you have the ADMX files corresponding to your version of Windows 11 in your Group Policy Management.
2. Enable Convenience PIN Sign-In
   • In Group Policy Management, navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > System > Logon.
   • Double-click on Turn on convenience PIN sign-in and set it to Enabled.
3. Set PIN Complexity Policies
   • Navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > System > PIN Complexity.
   • Enable Minimum PIN length and set it to 4.
   • Enable Maximum PIN length and set it to your desired value.
4. Enable Windows Hello for Business
   • Navigate to:
     Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Hello for Business.
   • Set Use Windows Hello for Business to Enabled.
5. Refresh Group Policy
   • Open an elevated command prompt (right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator).
   • Type gpupdate /force and press Enter.
6. Verify Settings
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > PIN (Windows Hello).
   • Click the button to manage your PIN and verify that the new PIN requirements are displayed.

This process ensures that the PIN complexity settings are correctly applied, preventing issues where PIN length requirements are not enforced as expected.