How to Enable or Disable Windows Hello Biometrics in Windows 10
Windows Hello biometrics lets you sign in to your devices, apps, online services, and networks using your face, iris, or fingerprint.
For more information about Windows Hello biometrics, see:
- Windows 10 sign-in options and account protection | Microsoft Support
- Windows Hello | Microsoft Docs
- Windows Hello biometric requirements | Microsoft Docs
- Windows Hello | Microsoft Docs Windows Developer
- Making Windows 10 More Personal and More Secure with Windows Hello - Windows Experience Blog
- Windows Hello biometrics in the enterprise (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
By default, local users and domain users can sign in to Windows 10 and elevate UAC permissions using biometrics unless disabled via policy.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the use of biometrics for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable the use of biometrics.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics using a REG file
EXAMPLE: Windows Hello biometrics enabled and disabled in Settings
OPTION ONE
Enable or Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two below.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Biometrics
3 In the right pane of Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow the use of biometrics policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
5To Enable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Not Configured is the default setting.
6To Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics
A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7 When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor.
OPTION TWO
Enable or Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics using a REG file
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Biometrics
Enabled DWORD
0 = Disable
(delete) = Enable
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2To Enable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Windows_Hello_Biometrics.reg
Download
3To Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Windows_Hello_Biometrics.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, OK (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
- How to Enable or Disable Domain Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
- Enable Enhanced Anti-Spoofing for Windows Hello Face Authentification in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove a Fingerprint for your Account in Windows 10
- How to Set Up Windows Hello Face Recognition in Windows 10
