Microsoft’s Windows Hello is in a relatively nascent limbo right now. Adoption of biometric authentications for PCs has yet to swell to levels it probably should be at, hardware vendors have yet to ubiquitously support it, and for many users, the setup process is seemingly too convoluted an effort to try it out.
Well, while Microsoft has little to no control over the two former issues, the company’s doing everything it can to address the latter. Recently, Microsoft released a set of tips for setting up and signing into its Surface devices using Windows Hello.
Here’s how to set up Windows Hello on your new Surface:
Make sure Windows 10 on your Surface is up-to-date
To check if updates are available, go into “Settings” and select “Update & security.” Available updates will be listed under Windows Update—just download and install to continue.
Set up facial recognition
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and locate Windows Hello.
– Select the infrared IR camera option.
– A “Welcome to Windows Hello” box will pop up. Press the “Get Started” button.
– Set up a PIN code if prompted to do so. If you already have one, this step will be skipped.
– Scan your face by following the on-screen instructions. For best results, hold your face six-to-eight inches away from the front of your Surface.
– Select “Finish” to complete scanning or choose “Improve Recognition” to continue scanning.
Microsoft Surface | How to set up Windows Hello
Microsoft’s Windows Hello is in a relatively nascent limbo right now. Adoption of biometric authentications for PCs has yet to swell to levels it probably should be at, hardware vendors have yet to ubiquitously support it, and for many users, the setup process is seemingly too convoluted an effort t
Microsoft is also suggesting that users attempt logins in varied conditions to help improve Windows Hello facial recognition software. For best results, a user’s face should be six to eight inches away from their device, but results have varied from reports.
For Windows users who would rather implement a more traditional biometric approach, Windows Hello also has support for fingerprint reading.
Requires Surface Pro 3 or Surface Pro 4 and Surface Pro 4 Type Cover with Fingerprint ID (available at retail in the U.S. only)
– Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and locate Windows Hello.
– Select the Fingerprint option and choose “Set up.”
– Repeatedly place your preferred finger on the fingerprint ID sensor on your type cover.
– The system will tell you when set up is complete. You have the option of setting up multiple fingers to be read by the scanner.
Perhaps, as more people become accustomed to fingerprint and iris scanners on their most cherished computing devices, smartphones, the adoption of extended biometric authentication will bleed over onto PCs and tablets.
