Windows 10: Just managed to restore accidentally deleted Windows Hello Face Software Device

Hi,


Been looking for answer all over the web but couldnt find any, so I figured I'd post here.


Face recognition stopped working on my Surface Pro 6, so I thought I could delete the "Windows Hello Face Software Device" under "Biometric devices" in device manager, reboot and Windows would recreate it. But sadly it didn't and I was unable to restore it. Several "solutions" didn't work for me among which deactivating and reactivating cameras in UEFI BIOS.


I found in C:\Windows\System32\WinBioPlugIns\FaceDriver a driver named "HelloFace.inf", right-clicked it, "install", and bam! Windows Hello Face Software Device was back under "Biometric devices" in device manager, and Windows face unlock works again.


Hope this helps anyone.

:)

 

Windows Hello Face Software Device is missing

Device: Surface Pro 6

Specs: i5, 8GB, 128GB

OS: Windows 10 Home

Version: 1809

Build: 17763.475

Windows Hello face recognition stopped working a few days ago. This might be related to an update from Windows Update. Besides that I have no idea what could have caused the issue.

I re-ran Win Update and restarted the device multiple times.

Then I checked the Device Manager. There was a strange entry. A problem with "Biometric devices". I think it had an exclamation mark on it. I uninstalled the Windows Hello Face Software Device. I expected it
to reinstall once I reboot the system and search for hardware changes using the Device Manager. But the entry "Biometric devices" and "Windows Hello Face Software Device" did not reappear.

I tried running the "SurfaceDiagnosticToolkit_SA", installing "SurfacePro6_Win10_17763_1900807_2", turn all cameras off and then on again in the UEFI and tried this:

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1. Open Device manager by typing

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device manager

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in the Cortana/Search field lower left hand corner

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2. Expand System Devices and find the Microsoft IR Camera Front and uninstall byright clicking/pressing and holding (but don't delete the driver when prompted).Then do the same for Surface Camera Windows Hello

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3. restart your Surface twice.

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If this fails to resolve the issue,

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1. Open device manager as above2. Expand System Devices again3. Find the  MICROSOFT IR CAMERA FRONT -4. right click/press and hold and then select  Update Driver5. Select Browse my computer for driver software6. Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer7. Microsoft IR camera front and then click or tap NEXT to install the driver8. restart Surface twice.

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Then, go through the process again but select SURFACE CAMERA WINDOWS HELLO andgo through the same steps as above and when you browse your computer, useSurface Camera Windows Hello.  Install as above and restart twice again.
But I can't find the "SURFACE CAMERA WINDOWS HELLO" either.

I'm pretty pissed. Please help.

Sincerely,

Stefan

 

windows hello face problem...

List of Windows Hello supported Dell Laptops:

 

windows Hello states it isn't available on this device

Hi Tom,

Try few of the troubleshooting steps below and check if you are able to access Windows Hello.

Step 1: I suggest you to run
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device
  options from the list.
• Click Next to run the
  Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

Step 2: Also, I suggest you to update the bio-metric finger print reader from Device Manager and check if it helps.

• Press Windows + X from the keyboard, click on Device Manager.
• Right click on Bio-metric finger print reader, click on
  Properties.
• Go to Drivers tab, click on Update driver software.

Step 3: I recommend you to install all the pending updates on your device and check if it helps.

Steps:

• Connect to the internet.
• Press Windows key and type updates.
• Click on Check for updates.
• Under Windows Updates, click on Check for updates.
• Try to install the updates being shown.

For more information refer:
Windows Hello and privacy: FAQ

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of accessing the Windows Hello feature for further assistance.

Thank you.