Biometric access used to be a thing of the future that you would only see in a James Bond movie or sci-fi movies. However, over the last decade we have seen a huge jump in technological advancements and this technology has become part of our daily lives. Microsoft has recently turned biometric access technology into an everyday reality for both Windows 10 and 11 users. Through the creation of Windows Hello, users can now log into all their devices via fingerprint, face scan, iris scan, or PIN code entry.
How to set up Windows Hello
In order to get started with Windows Hello, open up your Settings and select Accounts. Then you will want to select Sign-in options where you will see the options for setting up your PIN or the other biometric options such as face scanning, iris scan, or fingerprint. Choose which method you would like to set up and follow the instructions to create your new login profile. 
To make your login profile as secure and accurate as possible, it is a good practice to conduct multiple scans before enabling the login feature. The system collects more data every time you run a scan, so it is a good idea to do this a few times to be as accurate as possible.
After you’ve finished setting up your account, you can begin adding other trusted members who share the same device. Each trusted member can set up their own profile that consists of a PIN and another form of biometric access to their specific account. Passwords and PIN codes can be used as a backup login method in the event that fingerprint scanner or camera is not functioning properly.
Limited availability
As nice as this feature is, it is not yet available on all of Windows laptop and tablet options. To see if your device is eligible for Windows Hello, navigate to the Windows website and scroll down the page to the “filter by” section. Once here, select the Windows Hello option under the “Features” column. The list that shows up are all the devices that are Windows Hello capable through the use of infrared cameras and/or fingerprint scanners that are required to enable this feature.
Microsoft’s promise of security
Microsoft has stated that your Windows Hello login info will only be saved directly to your device and will never be saved to the Microsoft’s servers. Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access locally saved PIN codes and biometric data. All of this means that you never need to worry about your login info falling into the wrong hands.
In addition to Windows Hello, there are other Windows features that can make your life easier. Our IT experts can help you get more out of your Windows devices. Contact us today!
