How to set up Picture Password in Windows 11/10

As one of the most secure operating systems, Windows 11/10 offers its users a variety of ways to log in to authenticate themselves. From a regular password and PIN code to facial recognition, fingerprint, physical security keys, and picture passwords – Microsoft has put to your disposal an array of different user authentication options. Naively, most users have been using regular passwords, and few even try PINs; these options are great, but remembering them does pose challenges. So why not try a Picture Password in Windows that is simple, fast, and an equally effective and entertaining way to log in to your Windows system?

In this Windows tutorial, you will learn what a Picture Password in Windows 11/10 is and how to set up an efficient one.

What is a Picture Password in Windows 11/10

Picture password is a feature on Windows that allows users to log into their systems using their favorite pictures and gestures. These passwords demand the user to create three different gestures on a chosen image and then use those gestures as unique passwords. These gestures can combine straight lines, circles, and clicks or taps. The user must perform a specific combination of the three gestures on the selected image chosen for this task. So, if you remember the gestures, you can always recreate them for a successful log-in attempt.

All in all, the picture password offers an interesting and quick way to log in; it is easier than remembering and typing a long password, user-friendly, and much more fun in general. The trick is to make your picture password gestures easy enough for you to remember but complex enough so someone else would not be able to guess them.

Please note – Picture passwords work best on touch-screen devices, but you can also use them on a standard PC via your mouse.

How to make a hard-to-crack Picture Password in Windows 11/10?

Remember that picture passwords work best on touch-screen devices; hence, tapping the gestures on the screen will leave behind oils and other stains. This could make your PC vulnerable to a password leak, as someone might be able to decode your gestures. A quick wipe-off is important after drawing your passwords. In addition to the basic hygiene check, Microsoft also has a few suggestions for making your picture passwords tough to crack. These include:

Clean your screen.
Select a picture that has quite a few interesting points. An image having just one or two interesting locations will give you fewer points to choose from.
Mix different gestures. Do not use just lines or taps; mix up things in any sequence that is easier to remember.
Change direction. Remember, lines can go from bottom to top and left to right. And a circle can be made anti-clockwise, too.
Do not hesitate to hide. Let us admit that Picture passwords a little riskier than keyboard passwords as these appear on the screen as you are drawing it.

How to set up and use Picture Password in Windows 11/10

To create a Picture Password in Windows 11:

Open Windows Settings
Click on Accounts > Sign in options
Scroll down and click on Picture Password > Add

In Windows 10, take these steps to access the Picture password setting:

From the ‘Start Menu’ click on the ‘Settings’ icon
Hit on ‘Accounts’ and select ‘Sign-In Options’ appearing on the left panel.
The Sign-in Options page displays all the password settings.
Scroll down to locate the ‘Picture Password’ option.
Under Picture Password, click the ‘Add’ option.

If your Windows account does not have a password, you will be prompted to set up one. Also, if you have one, Windows will ask you to verify the same.

Now, these are the common steps to take for Windows 11 or Windows 10.

After you click on Add, the following windows will open.

Type your password, and hit ‘OK’.

Next, select the ‘Choose Picture’ option from the left panel. While you look for the picture, remember that you select the one having more interesting points. Tap on the image and click ‘Open’.

The selected picture appears in a cropping bucket; you can drag it around to crop it how you want it to fit on your screen.

Once done, click on ‘Use This Picture’. In case you are not happy with the image, you can change it by selecting ‘Choose a new picture’.

Next, Windows prompts you to set up your gestures. Here, you will have to draw three gestures, which can include a combination of straight lines, circles, and taps.

You will need to draw your gestures on the image. So, trace the gestures exactly as you want them.

Repeat the gestures, as you will have to confirm them now. Ensure that the gestures you enter are in the correct order as you entered them earlier.

Once successfully confirmed, your picture password is ready.

Click ‘Finish’ to confirm and put your Picture Password to action.

Try locking your system now by pressing ‘Alt + Ctrl + Del’ keys and selecting ‘Lock’ – make sure to replicate your gestures from here on. So, the next time you try to log in to your Windows PC, the operating system will ask you for your picture password instead of your regular account password.