Windows 10 Anniversary Update: What’s new with Windows Hello

Dave W. Shanahan

Windows Hello is another Windows 10 feature available in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. The facial recognition features of Windows Hello are only available on certain Windows 10 PCs, like the Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book, or with a certified camera, which at the moment looks to be limited to the Intel Realsense SR300 Dev Kit, currently on pre-order. Windows Hello is also available on the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 950, and you can still use the fingerprint reading capabilities of many current laptops running Windows 10.

Stare at your Windows Hello-capable phone or Windows 10 PC and the lock screen greets you and takes you directly to your home screen so you can get things done. Using Windows Hello is great for those looking to keep their Windows 10 device safe and secure from pesky siblings, nosy parents, or the government.

After the initial Windows Hello setup on a capable Windows 10 PC or Windows 10 phone, facial recognition is one of the easiest ways to log in to your PC. Windows Hello can recognize you by your face, iris, or your fingerprint (PCs with fingerprint readers). No pictures of your face, iris, or fingerprint are stored on your PC or anywhere else when using Windows Hello (see privacy policy).

Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and most PCs with fingerprint readers are ready to use Windows Hello now, and more Windows Hello-ready devices are coming soon. In order to open and use Windows Hello, follow these steps:

  1. Select the Start Start icon button

  2. Select Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options to set up Windows Hello.

  3. Under Windows Hello , you’ll see options for face, fingerprint, or iris if your PC has a fingerprint reader or a camera that supports Windows Hello. Once you’re set up, you’ll be able to sign in with a quick swipe or glance. Please note, you may be asked to set up a PIN before you can set up Windows Hello.

Windows Hello brings enterprise-grade security to Windows 10 apps and Microsoft Edge, the first and only browser so far with native support for biometrics. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update allows you to unlock your Windows 10 PC just by using your iris or face.

Stare at your Windows Hello-capable phone or sit in front of your Windows 10 PC and the lock screen greets you and quickly takes you to your home screen so you can get things done. Using Windows Hello is great for those looking to keep their Windows 10 device and personal information secure from pesky siblings, nosy parents, or the government.

Instead of using Windows Hello, you can use a PIN or Picture Password login option instead.

Here’s what you need to do if you want to turn off Windows Hello or remove your personal identification data from Windows Hello:

Select Settings  > Accounts  > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello, select Remove.

Here is another option to turn Windows Hello off:

Select Settings  > Accounts  > Sign-in options, and turn off Automatically dismiss the lock screen if we recognize your face.

Windows Hello, Windows 10
Windows Hello setup

Microsoft Edge will also get an added level of security with Windows Hello. No longer do you need to remember multiple passwords, just use Windows Hello to access websites on Edge instead. The Windows 10 Anniversary update allows you to use Windows Hello to log into participating websites.

Although this feature might now be ready right away, the Windows 10 Anniversary Update also allows users to sign in just by tapping their smartphone or fitness band.  In addition, Windows Hello can open Windows 10 apps like iHeartRadio and Dropbox, password-free.

How do you like Windows Hello? Share your feedback in the comments below.