What is Windows Hello?
Windows Hello is a more personal way to sign in to your Windows devices using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. A PIN is required before setting up a fingerprint or facial recognition login, but a PIN can also be used on its own.
These options help make it easier and safer to sign into your PC because these credentials are securely associated with one device. Most SLCC Windows machines contain a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip. This is a hardware component that provides secure storage for cryptographic keys, enhancing security for features like Windows Hello. It ensures that sensitive data, such as biometric information, is protected from unauthorized access.
Before setting up Windows Hello for Business
- You need to have your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using the Microsoft Authenticator App setup. Click here for more information about MFA @ SLCC.
- Your device needs to be compatible.
- You need the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (AU) (1607 or above) or Windows 11
- You will need an iris scanner, a fingerprint reader, or a special near-infrared 3D camera to use certain sign-in methods.
- Current SLCC Windows laptops purchase standards include a Windows Hello compatible conferencing cameras to support facial recognition, some may include built-n fingerprint scanners.
- If you do not have a compatible camera or fingerprint scanner you can ask for this in future laptop purchases or you can purchase an external USB device, contact the Help Desk for assistance.
- If you have not set up an 8-digit PIN on this device, you will be asked to do so prior to being able to set up either of the Face or Fingerprint recognition processes.
- The 8-digit PIN is used as a backup when these other options are not available.
- This PIN is unique to one single device and does not carry over to another machine, so you will need to create a PIN for each Windows device you use.
- Be aware, the system has security checks in place that prevents repeating numbers, sequential numbers, and simple patterns. So, if it gives you an error when creating a new PIN, you likely need to use something else for your PIN.
- Remember, be smart with the PIN you select to protect your device and College data.
To configure Windows Hello options once logged in to your PC:
- Click on the Start icon in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Click on Accounts.
- Click Sign-in options.
- Under Manage how you sign in to your device; you'll see three choices to sign in with Windows Hello.
- Select Windows Hello Face and follow the steps to set up facial recognition sign-in with your PC's infrared camera or an external infrared camera.
- Select Windows Hello Fingerprint and follow the steps to set up sign-in with a fingerprint scanner.
- Select Windows Hello PIN and follow the steps to set up sign-in with an 8-digit PIN.
NOTE! If you’ve set up multiple sign-in methods, like a password, a PIN, and Windows Hello, Windows will show those options at the sign-in screen. Select the option you want to use to sign in.
Troubleshoot problems with Windows Hello for Business
If you're having trouble signing into your Windows device with Windows Hello for Business, here are some things to try.
- Check for Windows updates
Installing updates may require a restart, but may solve errors you are having with Windows Hello for Business.
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- I get an error message saying "Couldn't recognize you"
This error message can occur if you wear glasses and didn't set up face recognition to recognize you both with and without your glasses. This error might also occur if the lighting conditions are dramatically different than when the facial recognition was set up.
- Sign in with your PIN or password then select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Face, and then select Improve recognition.
- I get a different error message when I try to sign in
If your face or fingerprint didn’t scan properly, or if you’re using the wrong finger to sign in, you’ll get an error message when you try to sign in through Windows Hello.
- Sign in with your PIN or password. Then, set up Windows Hello again (follow the steps above in this article).
- The sign-in option I want is listed as "Unavailable"
This means your device is not compatible with that sign-in method. For example, maybe your device does not have a fingerprint scanner or maybe your camera is not compatible with Windows Hello.
- Choose a different sign-in method.
Related topics
Note! These links will take you away from the SLCC support page.
Configure Windows Hello
Prepare users to provision and use Windows Hello for Business
If you have any comments or suggestions, please provide them in the Feedback section below.
If you have any questions or issues, you can contact Technical Support:
Telephone: 801-957-5555
Email: helpdesk@slcc.edu