How to create a picture password in Windows 8

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Windows 8 offers a new twist on security by letting you log in with a picture password as an alternative to a text password or PIN.

For this process to work, you'll need to copy at least one image to your Windows 8 Pictures folder. After selecting your picture, you draw circles, lines, or taps on any three areas to set up your security. To log in, simply recreate the same gestures in the same order.

A picture password seems better suited for touch-screen tablet users, but PC users can also tap into the feature and use a mouse to create and re-create the gestures. Here's how to set up a picture password in the Windows 8 Release Preview:

1. From the Start screen, type the phrase picture password. From the search bar, click on the Settings category. From the search results in the left pane, click on the setting to Create or change picture password.


2. From the Sign-in options section on the PC Settings screen, click on the button to Create a picture password. Enter your current text password to confirm your account.


3. The "Welcome to picture password" screen explains how to set up a picture password through different gestures.


4. From the lef... [Read more]