PIN Not Working in Windows 11: How to Delete NGC Folder

Sadique Hassan•Updated Nov 27, 2021

In this guide, we will show you the steps to delete the NGC folder and hence fix the issue of PIN not working in Windows 11. There exists quite a few different ways to sign in to your PC. These include the likes of Face Unlock, Fingerprint, PIN, among others. While the first two might score on the ease of usability front, but, when it comes to secure parameters, there’s no denying the fact that PIN is right at the top of the list. However, this login method seems to be get bugged with quite a few issues from time to time.

Some users have complained that they are getting the Your PIN is no longer available error message whereas others have voiced their concern that the OS fails to recognize them. In this regard, users are able to log in to their PC via the fallback password method but even then, the issue with PIN remains as it is. They have tried changing their PIN via the Settings > Accounts > Sign In options but even that doesn’t work out.

For some, the option is greyed out whereas others gave said that the system isn’t able to verify their current PIN. So what leads to this PIN not working issues on Windows 11? Well, it is due to the data of the PIN being corrupted. For the unware, Windows 11 (and its predecessors) stores all the PIN-related data inside the NGC folder. So if there’s an issue with this folder, then its direct repercussions are bound to be faced by the PIN itself.

So the direct approach to fix most of the PIN issues is to delete this corrupt NGC folder and then let the OS create its fresh instance from scratch. However, you cannot simply delete this folder as you do for other C Drive folders. There are a few additional steps that you need to perform beforehand. And in this guide, we will help you with just that. Given here are the detailed instructions steps to delete the NGC folder and hence fix the issue of PIN not working in Windows 11.

PIN Not Working in Windows 11: How to Delete NGC Folder

To begin with, if you are stuck in the sign-in screen, then use your Microsoft Account password instead of PIN to log in. Once you are booted to the OS, use the Windows+E shortcut keys to open the Settings menu. Then click on the View button situated at the top, select Show More > Hidden Items. Now comes the interesting part. For the unaware, the NGC folder is placed under the following directory:

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft

Hence while you would be able to reach the Microsoft folder, you wouldn’t be able to NGC folder. Well, this seems to be the case till Windows 10. In Windows 11, Microsoft has taken this a step ahead and has put the roadblock right at the LocalService folder. In other words, you wouldn’t be able to even open the LocalService. Fortunately, for us, the steps are still the same.

The permission change that needed to be done to the NGC folder will now be carried out in the LocalService folder itself. After that, we will implement that change to all the subfolders of that LocalService directory, which would include the NGC as well. So with that in mind, let’s get on with the steps to delete the NGC folder and hence fix the issue of PIN not working in Windows 11.

NOTE: If in your case, you are able to access the LocalService folder but are getting stuck in the NGC folder, then worry not. You will have to perform the exact same steps to your NGC folder that we have performed to the LocalService folder.

Instruction Steps

To begin with, open the File Explorer and go to the LocalService folder, which could be accessed via the below location:
```
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService
```
Then right-click on the LocalService folder, select Show More Options > Properties.
Now go to its Security tab and click Advanced.
After that, click on the Continue button.
Then click on Select a Principal.
After that, click on the Add button situated at the bottom left.
Then type in Administrators and click on Check Names.
It shall now bring in your administrator name, click OK.
Now checkmark the Full Control option under Basic Permissions and click OK to save it.
After that, enable Replace owners on sub containers and objects, and click Apply > OK.
Since NGC is a part (sub-container) of this LocalService folder, it will now ask for its own permission. So click YES to approve it.
Finally, click OK to save all the changes. Now restart your PC (or a sign-out should do as well).
Once your PC boots up, you may now be able to access the LocalService folder, and consequently, the NGC folder as well.
So let’s now access this NGC folder. For that, copy-paste the below location n the address bar:
```
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft
```
Now double-click on the NGC folder, and you should get the permission prompt. Click on YES.
That’s it. You shall now be able to access the contents of the NGC folder. Likewise, you may delete, edit or modify its contents without any issues. Though it’s recommended to take a backup of this NGC folder before trying out any of these tweaks.
Now when it comes to setting a new PIN, you could do so from the Settings > Accounts > Sign In page. Or sign out and then you should get the PIN setup screen from where you could register your new PIN.

So with this, we round off this guide on how you could delete the NGC folder and hence fix the issue of PIN not working in Windows 11. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.

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