> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ghostware.gitbook.io/ghostware/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ghostware.gitbook.io/ghostware/getting-started/setup-pin-sign-in-not-working.md).

# Setup Pin / Sign in not working

This is a very specific issue, if you do not have it, you can skip this tab.

## 1. Open registry editor from recovery

1. On your lock screen, click the **Power** icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Hold down the **Shift key** on your keyboard, then click **Restart**. Keep holding Shift until a blue screen appears.
3. Click **Troubleshoot** > **Advanced Options** > **Command Prompt.**
4. In the black Command Prompt window, type `regedit` and press **Enter**.

## 2. Load your windows registry

Because you aren't booted into Windows, you have to manually load the registry file.

1. Inside the Registry Editor, click to highlight **HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE** on the left side.
2. Click **File** in the top menu bar, then select **Load Hive...**
3. Navigate through the files to find your Windows installation drive (usually `C:` ).
4. Go to this folder: **`Windows \ System32 \ config` .**
5. Scroll down, click on the file named **`SOFTWARE`**, and click **Open**.
6. A box will ask for a name. Type **`msoftware`** and click **OK.**

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you get an error "**Cannot Load X:/Windows/System32.config/SOFTWARE"** refer to [Error Fixes](#error-fixes)
{% endhint %}

## 3. Turn off forced pin sign-in

Now you will change the setting that is blocking your sign-in button.

1. On the left side, double-click **HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE** to expand it.
2. Open your newly loaded folder: **`msoftware`**.
3. Navigate down the folders by double-clicking them in this exact order:

* **`Microsoft`**
* **`Windows NT`**
* **`CurrentVersion`**
* **`PasswordLess`**
* **`Device`**

4. Once you click on the **Device** folder, look at the right pane and double-click **`DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion`**
5. Change the Value Data from **`2`** to **`0`**, then click **OK**.

## 4. Unload and reboot

1. Scroll back up to the left pane, click on the **`msoftware`** folder you created to highlight it.
2. Click **File** in the top menu and select **Unload Hive**. Click **Yes** to confirm.
3. Close the Registry Editor window, close the Command Prompt window, and click **Continue** to boot into Windows normally.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Your lock screen should now give you the option to sign in using your **Microsoft account password** instead of a broken PIN or Windows Hello prompt.
{% endhint %}

## Error Fixes

<details>

<summary>Cannot load X:/Windows/System32.config/SOFTWARE  The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.</summary>

1. Click **OK** to close that error box.
2. In the "Load Hive" file browser window, look at the left-hand sidebar and click on **This PC**.
3. You will see several drives listed (like `Local Disk C:`, `Local Disk D:`, etc.).
4. Look for the drive that shows a large storage capacity (e.g., 100GB to 1TB).

Once you click on your actual local hard drive (let's assume it is `C:` or `D:`):

5. Open the **`Windows`** folder.
6. Open the **`System32`** folder.
7. Open the **`config`** folder.
8. Select the **`SOFTWARE`** file from *this* location and click **Open**.

The path in your address bar should read something like `C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE` (with any letter *except* `X`). It will now let you type a name (like `msoftware`) and proceed with Step 3 from before.

</details>


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