PC unlock with fingerprint or recognition (Windows Hello)

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 offers various methods to protect access to our workstation or our account, so as to prevent onlookers or spies from opening our programs or our browsers to peek into the history or to retrieve precious personal information.
In addition to the classic access password and the quick PIN, on the latest Microsoft operating system we can also set a fingerprint or visa recognition as biometric passwords, so that only we can quickly access the workstation or PC without even remembering each time the PIN or password.
In this guide we will show you how to configure and how to access Windows 10 and Windows 11 via biometric recognition, fingerprint or face recognition (via Windows Hello service), showing you the hardware components necessary for the purpose and the steps to be taken in the operating system settings, so as to significantly increase security at login.
In the guide we will show you separately how to log in to windows 10 or windows 11 using your fingerprint (and relative fingerprint reader to be connected to the PC) or by face recognition (via a webcam compatible with the Windows Hello service).

READ ALSO: Computer face recognition from the webcam

How to log in to Windows 10 or Windows 11 with a fingerprint

In order to access Windows 10 using our fingerprints we will have to equip ourselves with a fingerprint reader that can be connected to a USB port, like the one available here -> Benss Mini USB Fingerprint Reader (26 €).

This small reader connects to a free USB port on your notebook and is immediately ready for use, without installing any additional drivers. If we want to add the fingerprint reader to a fixed PC, it is better to focus on a USB fingerprint reader (20 €).

On some high-end laptops the fingerprint reader is included on the body, usually present at the bottom right of the keyboard (a small recessed hole where you can place your finger).
Once the USB reader is connected to the PC or the fingerprint reader integrated on our laptop has been identified, open the Start menu at the bottom left, look for the Settings app and take us along the path Account -> Login options.

Before continuing, make sure you have set a classic access password, necessary as a secondary access system (in the event of a malfunction of the fingerprint reader): to create a new password for a local account, press on the item Password and start the guided configuration. If we use a Microsoft account the password is already active, so it is not necessary to change or activate it manually.

To configure the fingerprints we press on the item Windows Hello fingerprint, then select the button Configure.

The wizard will start and, at the right moment, all we have to do is press several times with the finger to add on the fingerprint reader until the acquisition is complete.
By repeating the steps we can also add other fingerprints of our fingers or footprints of people who we want to use our account.

From now on, in the Windows login window, just swipe your registered finger to the reader to quickly access our account.

How to log in to Windows 10 and Windows 11 via face recognition

If, on the other hand, we want to use face recognition, it is not enough to use a simple webcam, but we will have to buy a model that has infrared sensors and a recognition system compatible with Windows Hello.
The models on the market are much more expensive than normal webcams but they are essential to take advantage of face recognition; the model that we recommend you to try is available here -> GoGoCool Webcam with USB IR recognition (79 €).

The webcam in question is ready for use on Windows 10 and 11, but we recommend that you install the drivers included in the package to be able to take advantage of the infrared sensors.
There is no shortage of alternatives, such as the Logitech BRIO Webcam Ultra HD 4K (€ 159).

Once connected via USB to our desktop computer or notebook and installed the appropriate drivers, let’s take the path again Settings -> Accounts -> Login options, we press on the item Windows Hello face and below on Configure.

The wizard will start, where it is sufficient to place our face in the center of the frame and wait for the acquisition of the infrared image (the technology used for secure access). At the end, just confirm and restart the computer to verify the correct functioning of the facial recognition system.

Conclusions

Adding a fingerprint reader or a webcam with infrared sensors will allow you to quickly access the station without having to type in a password or PIN, with the risk that someone could guess or see them secretly behind us. The sensors are precise enough to prevent access with surrogates such as a sheet with fingerprints or photos with our face (since it acts on infrared we must have a “live” face for the acquisition).

If we wish to remove the access password and any login system from our computer, we refer you to reading our guide on how Remove the password prompt when Windows starts.
If, on the other hand, we have forgotten the access password and we can no longer log in, we can try resetting the local password and from the online account by reading our guide on how Reset the Windows 10 and Windows 11 password to log into the PC.