Setting up fingerprint or face sign-in (Windows Hello)

Check your computer supports it

• Fingerprint: a small sensor on the power button, palm rest or keyboard.
• Face sign-in: an infrared (IR) camera, which shows as two small lenses or an extra light next to the webcam. Ordinary webcams can't be used for face sign-in.

Set it up

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Set up a PIN (Windows Hello) first. It's required for fingerprint and face sign-in.
3. Select Fingerprint recognition or Facial recognition and select Set up.
4. Follow the prompts. For fingerprints, register two or more fingers.

"This option is currently unavailable"

1. Install all Windows updates and your maker's drivers (article 66).
2. In Device Manager, check Biometric devices appears. If it has a warning icon, right-click it and select Uninstall device, then restart.
3. Check the fingerprint reader or camera is enabled in the BIOS.

Not recognising you reliably? Clean the sensor or camera lens, then select Improve recognition or remove and re-add the fingerprint.

Computers set up for work or school may have Windows Hello turned off by the organisation.