To simplify the login process on Windows 10 computers, Microsoft came up with the Windows Hello sign-in. One of the ways to sign in using Hello is a PIN (Personal Identfication Number). Some users want to turn off Windows Hello PIN along with the Windows Hello setup prompt notification that they receive when PC is turned on.
We will explain how to manage Windows Hello sign-in options, why you should consider using them, and how to turn off Pin option.
Let’s begin.
Windows Hello Sign-In Options
The PIN is not the only way to sign in to your Windows 10 computer. Windows Hello offers a plethora of options like:
- Windows Hello Face that uses facial recognition tech to sign in by scanning your face.
- Windows Hello Fingerprint which uses your fingerprint, provided you have a fingerprint scanner on your computer/laptop.
- Windows Hello PIN uses a numerical PIN with an option to add alphabets and symbols.
- Security key uses a physical USB key like Yubikey.
- A password which allows signing in using your Microsoft account password.
- Picture Password that will use a photo uploaded by you to create a sort of puzzle. Swipe the missing part to the correct location to complete the puzzle and gain access.
Even if you don’t want to use the Windows Hello PIN option to sign in, there are plenty of other ways. As a long term Windows user, I recommend using one of the available options. That will not only make the sign-in process simpler and much faster but also stop Microsoft from pestering you to set up Windows Hello. No more notification!
How Windows Hello Sign-In Works
Microsoft assures that your fingerprint, face, iris, or PIN that you use to sign in using Windows Hello never leaves your device. It is stored locally and encrypted to protect your privacy and secure your data. That means using Windows Hello is not only easy and quick but also safe and secure. You can enable one of the other Windows Hello sign-in options when disabling Windows Hello PIN if you so wish.
How to Turn off Windows Hello PIN from Settings
A PIN is not the same as a password. There is a difference and I am assuming you already have it setup. You can turn it off from the Settings or using a Registry/GPE trick.
Press Windows key+I to open Settings and search for and select Change the sign-in requirements.
Click on the Windows Hello PIN option once to reveal a menu. Here, you can recover PIN if you have forgotten it, remove it if you don’t want to use it, and change it. Click on Remove.
Enter your Microsoft account password to complete the process.
When the Windows Hello PIN is successfully disabled, you should see an Add option instead.
You will need to enter your Microsoft account password the next time you sign-in to your Windows 10 computer. That would be more cumbersome than using the PIN. Windows Hello is supposed to simplify the process because passwords can be difficult/complex to remember, as they should be. Again, I recommend you to use one of the Hello sign-in options.
How to Turn off Windows Hello PIN from Registry Editor
If the Settings is not working for you for some reason, you can also turn it off from the Registry Editor. That will work for all Windows versions, including those running Windows Home edition. Search for Registry Editor from the Start menu and open it.
Navigate to the below folder structure.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Settings\AllowSignInOptions
You will find a DWORD 32-bit file in the right-pane called Value. Double-click on the file to open it and set the Hexadecimal Value data to 0 (zero) from 1 and save it. That will turn off Windows Hello PIN. You can turn it back on by changing the Value to 1 again.
How to Turn off Windows Hello Setup Prompt Notification
Microsoft wants you to use Windows Hello. Using a local user account may solve the problem, but Microsoft will then push you to create a Microsoft account instead.
Can’t get rid of the Windows Hello setup notification when booting or signing in to your computer? There is a Group Policy Editor hack, but it is available for Windows Pro and Enterprise users only.
Search for Group Policy Editor in Windows Search, open it, and drill down to the below folder structure.
Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Hello for Business
Double-click on Use Windows Hello for Business file to open it.
Select Disabled in the pop-up that follows and save settings.
You should stop seeing the pop-up notification to set up Windows Hello from now on.
Hello, Windows
Windows Hello is a great idea and I recommend everyone to use it. It saves time, and it is safe and secure. Especially if you are using an external FIDO certified USB device like Yubikey to sign in. Still, if you want to remove Windows Hello along with the setup prompts, you can do it easily following the above guide.
Next up: Looking for a Windows 10 app to generate 2FA codes? Here is a list of 3 2FA apps that you can download and use now.
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- Update or re-install the biometrics driver using the Device Manager tool on your PC.
- Delete your fingerprint, and register it again in Windows Hello settings.
- Open the Services program, and restart the Windows Biometric Service.
Basic Fixes
- Restart PC: Restart your PC to fix any temporary bugs and glitches.
- Clean your finger and the sensor: The biometrics sensor on your PC will not work if it is dirty, or if your finger isn’t clean.
- Update PC: Update your PC to the latest available version of Windows for a bug-free experience.
- Check for malware: Using Windows Defender , scan for malware that may be causing the problem.
Fix 1: Update or Reinstall the Biometrics (Fingerprint) Driver
The software drivers for the biometrics hardware on your Windows PC may be outdated and are due for an update. The update can fix bugs and problems that you are facing with the Windows Hello fingerprint service. Additionally, if the biometrics driver was installed through a corrupt package, it may cause issues with Windows Hello.
Therefore, updating or reinstalling these drivers will help.
Step 1: Open Device Manager from the start menu.
Step 2: Click to expand Biometric Devices .
Step 3: Right-click on the biometric device and click on Update driver .
Step 4: Choose whether you want to browse the update file locally or, let Windows search the internet for the same.
If you want to re-install the driver, click on Uninstall Device , confirm your action, and restart your PC to automatically install the driver.
Fix 2: Re-Register Your Fingerprints
If the saved fingerprint on your PC is corrupted, removing it and registering your fingerprint once again will help.
Step 1 : Open the Settings app on your PC.
Step 2: Select Accounts in the sidebar and click on Sign-In Options .
Step 3: Click on Fingerprint Recognition .
Step 4: Click on Remove to delete the registered fingerprint.
Step 5: Now, click on Set Up , and register your fingerprints once again.
Fix 3: Start Biometrics Service Automatically
If the Windows Biometric service – a process that is required to activate the fingerprint sensor on your device does not start up every time you boot up your PC, you may encounter problems with Windows Hello.
Step 1: Open the Services application from the Start menu.
Step 2: Scroll down to find, and right-click on Windows Biometric Service .
Step 3: Click on Properties .
Step 4: Open the dropdown menu for Startup type , and click on Automatic . Click on Apply and OK to confirm your changes.
Fix 4: Reset WinBio Database
Your Windows PC stores all the biometrics data in the WinBio database. If any entry is corrupted, it may be responsible for the error message.
Step 1: Open the Services application from the Start menu.
Step 2: Scroll down to find, and right-click on Windows Biometric Service .
Step 3: Click on Stop .
Step 4: Now, navigate to This PC -> Windows (C:) -> Windows -> System32 and open the WindBioDatabase folder.
Step 5: We will have to delete all the files present here.
But we recommend taking a backup . Select all files. Copy and paste them onto a different location.
Step 6: Once you have created a copy of all the files in a different destination – go ahead and delete the files .
Step 7: Now, go back to Windows Services , right-click on Windows Biometric Service , and click on Start .
Once you restart the biometric service, you must register your fingerprint again in the Settings app. Refer to the ‘Fix 2’ section to register your fingerprint.
Fix 5: Edit the Registry
If the biometric login is deactivated via the Registry on your Windows PC, you can enable it by using the registry editor.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor from the Start menu.
Step 2: Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
Step 3: Click on SOFTWARE .
Step 4: Click on Policies -> Windows -> and right-click on System .
Step 5: Click on New -> DWORD (32-Bit) Value .
Step 6: Right-click on the new entry and click on Rename .
Enter the new name as AllowDomainPINLogon .
Step 7: Double-click on the new entry.
Step 8: Enter 1 in the value data. Click on OK .
Fix 6: Troubleshoot Hardware Devices
Running the hardware troubleshooting service on your Windows PC can fix issues with the fingerprint scanner.
Step 1: Open the Run window on your PC.
Step 2: Enter the following command, and click on OK to open the hardware diagnostics service.
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostics
Step 3: Click on Next , and the troubleshooting will begin. Once it is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to take the relevant actions.
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A Windows Hello USB fingerprint reader can make the mundane task of logging in to your Windows PC an easy and convenient affair. If you want to save time, here are some of the best external fingerprint readers you can buy for your PC.
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
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The Arcanite fingerprint reader is small, compact and resembles the dongles for wireless mouse or keyboard. It plugs into a USB-A port and protrudes slightly with the scanner on top. The sensor is positioned at the top of the reader, so it’ll work best only on vertically oriented USB ports.
Registering the device with Windows Hello allows you to store up to ten fingerprints. So, if multiple users access your PC, each can log in using their biometrics. While the Arcanite fingerprint reader works straight out of the box, you may have to download the device driver from Arcanite’s website if prompted.
What We Like
- Small and tiny
- Affordable
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
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While Arcanite’s fingerprint reader should work fine for most people, it only unlocks your PC. TEC’s mini fingerprint, thanks to its proprietary software, goes one step ahead by allowing you to unlock locked files and folders.
The TEC fingerprint reader draws parallels to the one from Aracnite in the design department. It has a sensor on the top portion of the dongle for easy access. However, it has an ordinary build quality and may disintegrate after a few months. As such, we’d recommend against repeatedly plugging the dongle in and out of the USB port to extend the scanner’s life. On the upside, it’s affordable and won’t drain your pocket.
What We Like
- Small and portable
- Unlock files and folders
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Poor build quality
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
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Yoidesu’s offering comes with a side-mounted scanner, unlike the fingerprint readers from Arcanite and TEC. This design makes it a better choice for those who use a laptop over a PC. You can leave it plugged into a USB port on the side and use it like a built-in scanner.
Above all, it has a better build quality, thanks to the metal construction. At the same time, the Yoidesu fingerprint reader has a larger footprint compared to the devices above. At the same time, you can register up to ten fingerprints. Moreover, the scanner boasts snappy unlocking speeds, so you should be able to unlock your laptop in the blink of an eye.
What We Like
- Faster response time
- Excellent build quality
- Larger footprint
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
- N/A
Verifi P2000
Verifi P2000
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The Verifi P2000 is also compatible with some popular apps and password managers. So, if you use LastPass or 1Password, you can access all your credentials using just your fingerprint.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Works with apps and password managers
What We Don’t Like
- Works with older versions of Windows
Kensington VeriMark
Kensington VeriMark
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Kensington is synonymous with security. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, secure solution for Windows Hello, the VeriMark fingerprint reader is the best option. In fact, it’s being deployed in U.S. Federal Government institutions and organizations, and has some of the best acceptance rates for a fingerprint reader.
That said, it doesn’t work on a plug-and-play basis with Windows 11. As such, you may need to download the drivers manually. But, if you can get past this step, we highly recommend VeriMark for professional users who want to keep their accounts secure.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Able performer
- Practical design
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Not plug-and-play
A fingerprint reader is arguably more secure while a webcam is more convenient since you just have to look into it. You can pick either of them depending on your preference.
A long and difficult password can be harder to crack and might just be safer than using a fingerprint reader. But most of the time, a fingerprint reader is good enough since it’s both secure and convenient.
You can use Windows Hello on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.
