Windows 11 must be configured to require a minimum PIN length of six characters or greater.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-253401SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227WN11-CC-000260SV-253401r1210296_rule2026-05-192

Description

Windows allows the use of PINs and biometrics for authentication without sending a password to a network or website where it could be compromised. Longer minimum PIN lengths increase the available combinations an attacker would have to attempt. Shorter minimum length significantly reduces the strength. Note: A different registry location is needed when systems are managed by Intune versus GPO.

ℹ️ Check

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\PassportForWork\PINComplexity\ (For GPO-managed systems) Or Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Policies\PassportForWork\[guid]\device\policies\PINComplexity (For Intune-managed systems) Value Name: MinimumPINLength Type: REG_DWORD Value: 6 (or greater)

✔️ Fix

For GPO-managed systems: Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> PIN Complexity >> "Minimum PIN length" to "6" or greater. For Intune-managed systems: Revise the Intune policy to set the minimum PIN length to "6" or greater.