The Windows Hello sign-in screen is about to get less fussy. Microsoft is testing a change that lets you type your PIN without waiting for face or fingerprint recognition to finish. Whichever method works first signs you in.
It’s only in testing for now, so most people won’t see it yet. Here’s what’s changing and who can try it today.
- The change is in the Windows 11 Experimental channel for Windows Insiders, announced November 6, 2026.
- You no longer have to wait for biometrics to finish before entering your PIN.
- After a restart, and at certain other times, you’ll need your PIN first.
- Microsoft hasn’t announced a date for a public release.
If you’ve ever stared at a laptop that kept scanning your face while you just wanted to type four digits, this one is for you.
What the new Windows Hello sign-in actually does
Today, Windows Hello can feel like a queue. The system tries your face or fingerprint, and you wait until it either works or gives up.
According to Microsoft’s Windows Insider announcement, the new behavior makes sign-in and unlock “more consistent” and gives clearer guidance on screen. The headline change is simple: the PIN box no longer sits behind the biometric check.
That means a slow camera, a damp finger, or a dim room won’t hold you up. You pick whichever method is quicker at that moment.
Before and after: what you’ll notice
The table below compares the old flow with the tested one, based on what Microsoft has described.
| What you notice | Before | With the new behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in wait | You often sit through the face or fingerprint scan before the PIN box is usable | You can start typing your PIN right away |
| Which method counts | Biometrics first, PIN as the fallback | Whichever method works first is used |
| After a restart | Biometrics may be offered first | PIN comes first, then biometrics work as usual |
| Guidance on screen | Can feel inconsistent | Clearer prompts on sign-in and unlock |
Microsoft hasn’t published more detail than this, so exact screens and wording may change before any wider rollout.
Why you’ll still type a PIN first after a restart
One part of this may surprise you. After a restart, and at certain other times, Windows asks for your PIN first. After that, face and fingerprint sign-in work as usual.
Microsoft didn’t explain the reasoning in the announcement. Requiring a PIN after a fresh boot is a common safeguard on many devices, so this isn’t a new kind of restriction. Just don’t be surprised when your camera stays quiet right after startup.
How to try the feature on your PC
You need to be in the Windows Insider Program, and this change is listed for the Experimental channel only. Experimental builds are early test versions, so they’re best on a spare PC rather than your daily machine.
You can switch channels in Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Microsoft often rolls features out gradually, so you may not see the new sign-in behavior the moment you update.
If you’d rather wait, the stable path is safer. Our guide to the Windows 11 26H2 rollout covers what’s already reaching regular PCs, and the right-click menu update shows how Microsoft ships smaller quality-of-life tweaks.
Other Windows 11 Insider news from the same day
The same announcement covered new builds across several Insider channels. Microsoft listed Beta build 26320.9876, Experimental build 26340.9882, and a Future Platforms build, 29704.1000.
For that last channel, Microsoft said Insiders will start seeing an extra weekly build version in the coming weeks. These are synthetic cumulative updates with no new features or payload, meant to test Microsoft’s update and flighting services. They won’t get release notes or blog posts, though the versions will show up in Flight Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my PIN right away on Windows 11 now?
Not yet on a regular PC. The behavior is being tested in the Windows Insider Experimental channel. Stable Windows 11 hasn’t been announced to get it.
Does the new Windows Hello sign-in remove face or fingerprint login?
No. Face and fingerprint still work. You just don’t have to wait for them before using your PIN, and whichever works first is used.
Why does Windows ask for my PIN after a restart?
Microsoft says you’ll need your PIN first after a restart and at certain other times. After that first sign-in, biometrics work as usual.
When will the Windows Hello change reach everyone?
Microsoft hasn’t said. Features in the Experimental channel can change or be dropped, so treat it as a preview, not a promise.
It’s a small fix to an everyday annoyance, and that’s why it’s welcome. Sign-in is the one screen you see dozens of times a week, and shaving off the pause makes the whole PC feel quicker. If you’re not an Insider, there’s nothing to do but wait. If you are, test it on a spare machine and tell Microsoft through Feedback Hub whether it feels better.
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