Some personal computers or servers should be running all the time for specific tasks. Servers are commonly used to deliver services that are constantly required, which is why they are never turned off. Similarly, some personal computers will be running certain processes that take a long time and the computer should be running for it.

By not shutting down the computer, users can also access it through remote access, even when away from it. However, someone can accidentally click on one of the power options which results in terminating the processes on your system. If used by multiple users, then another user can also use the power option without knowing that it should be running.

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Removing Power Options in Windows

In this article, we will provide some methods through which you can disable the power options from the start menu. It will prevent users from restarting or turning off the computer. However, if the power options are already removed from your system, then you can use the below methods to enable it back. Sometimes “ there are currently no power options available ” can be caused by other culprits.

Removing Power Options through the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is a Windows tool that allows users to control the working of the computer accounts and user accounts. There are thousands of policy settings in the Group Policy Editor. It has been improved with each Windows version and now finding a setting is easier because each setting has a folder for it. However, some of the settings will only work for the specific operating system and may not work on every Windows version.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available for the Windows professional and enterprise editions. If you are using any other Windows Editions (Windows Home), then skip this method and try the other one.

Note : The setting can be found under both categories; Computer Configuration and User Configuration. The path for the policy setting will be the same, but the categories will be different.

  1. Open a Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys together. You can also open it by searching it through the Windows search feature. Type “ gpedit.msc ” and press the Enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor . Opening the Local Group Policy Editor
  2. Navigate to the setting in Computer Configuration or User Configuration: User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Start Menu and Taskbar\ Navigating to the setting in the Group Policy
  3. Open a setting named “ Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands ” by double-clicking on it. It will open another window, now change the toggle option from Not Configured to Enabled . Enabling the setting
  4. Click on the Apply and Ok buttons to save the changes made. This will disable the power options from the start menu and some other places.
  5. To enable it back, you will need to change the toggle option in step 3 back to Not Configured or Disabled .

Removing Power Options through the Registry Editor

If you used the above method, then the values will automatically be updated for your Registry. However, if you are using this without using the above method, then you will need to create the missing key/value for the setting. Just to be safe, we recommend you to create a backup of your registry before making any new changes. It is a bit technical method but you can easily do it by following the below steps.

Note : The value can be created for both the Current Machine and the Current User. The path for the value will be the same for both, but only the hives will be different.

  1. Open a Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys together. Type “ regedit ” in it and press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor . If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), then click on the Yes button. Opening the Registry Editor
  2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to this key below: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer Note : We are adding the value in Current User, you can add it to the Current Machine too.
  3. To create a new value, right-click on the right pane and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Name the value as “ HidePowerOptions “. Creating a new value in Explorer key
  4. Double-click on the HidePowerOptions value to open it and then change the value data to 1 . Note : Value data 1 will enable the value and value data 0 will disable the value. Enabling the value
  5. Finally, after all the configurations, make sure to restart the computer to apply the changes.
  6. To enable the power options back on your system, you need to change the value data to 0 in step 4 or you can delete the value from the Registry Editor.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”

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Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.

Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:

1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way

If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.

Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.

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Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).

If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.

Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
  3. Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
  4. Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
  5. After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  6. Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options

2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account

If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .

We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).

If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.

Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
  3. Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
  4. In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
  5. Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
  6. Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
  7. On the next screen, click Next .
  8. When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
  9. Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
  10. Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.