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Windows 8 introduces two new ways of authenticating yourself other than just using a password. Now you can use a Picture Password, which uses gestures, as well as PIN code. Here’s how they both work.

Setting Up A Picture Password

Creating a Picture Password is done through the new Metro Control Panel, so to get started, launch it from the new start screen.

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In the left-hand panel select users, and the option to create a Picture Password will appear on the right hand side.

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Then you will be prompted for your current password.

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You now have to select a picture that will be used to pick out the secret gestures on, so click the Choose picture button.

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This will bring up the new Metro file picker, which will display all your pictures that you have in the Pictures library as tiles, where you can simply click on a picture and click the Open button.

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You’ll get a confirmation, where you’ll want to select “Use this picture”.

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Now you’ll be asked to set up your gestures, which can be clicks, straight lines, or circles. If you’re using the mouse, clicks are probably the best idea.

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For example, you can choose 3 clicks on various parts of the tree in the picture.

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You can even mix it up and add a circle, just remember when using circles that you also have to remember the size of the circle.

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Finally you could add a straight line, but remember that the length of  the line will matter when you have to enter your password, not only the location.

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Now when you need to log in, you will be presented with a screen that looks something like this.

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You will now need to input your gestures, a nice feature if you really don’t care for remembering a password, and are not that worried about security! Note: obviously the gestures are really meant for a touch screen.

Setting Up A PIN

A PIN (Personal Identification Number) is almost the same as a password except you can only use numbers, and it must be 4 digits long—which doesn’t seem that secure, but there’s a chance they will allow longer PIN codes in future versions of Windows 8. To setup a PIN, head to the Metro Control Panel, click on Users, and then click on Create a PIN.

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Now you will have input your password.

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Now you will be asked what PIN you want to use, remember 4 DIGITS.

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Now when you go to log in, all you have to do is input the 4 Digit number.

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Keep in mind that you can continue using a password if you prefer.