Windows 10: Registry key to identify if Windows Hello Biometric is enabled

Is there a regkey that we can refer to check if user has windows hello biometric is setup on a device.


***Original title: Window hello status on windows 10 devices***

:)

 

Enable or Disable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor

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 fingerprint.

For more information about Windows Hello biometrics, see:

• Windows Hello and privacy | Microsoft privacy
• Windows Hello | Microsoft Docs
• Windows Hello biometric requirements | Microsoft Docs
• Windows Hello - UWP app developer | Microsoft Docs
• 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, 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.

*Warning 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

*note 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)
*Arrow 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.


5. To 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)

*note Not Configured is the default setting.

6. To 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

*note 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.


2. To Enable Use of Windows Hello Biometrics
*note 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





3. To 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




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

 

biometric devices

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I understand your inconvenience. We will assist you to resolve this issue.

I suggest you to follow the methods provided below and check if it helps.

Method 1: Enable Biometric option.

I suggest you to enable the Biometrics to pick up the Biometrics setting. This option shall be enable by default. However, I recommend you to follow the steps provided below and check if it enable or not.

• Press Windows logo key + R key.
• Type gpedit.msc and press
  Enter key.
• Under Computer Configuration, navigate to.

Administrative Templates Windows Components Biometrics

In the left hand panel of the Windows, double click on the following:

• Allow the use of biometrics
• Allow users to log on using biometrics

Select enable option and click on Apply and
OK button.

Now, restart your computer and follow the instructions provided below.

After restarting the computer, I suggest you to disconnect and reconnect the fingerprint sensor device and check if the drivers are getting detected in Device Manager. If the issue still persist, follow method 2.

Method 2: Reinstall drivers and compatibility mode.

I suggest you to download and install the latest drives for fingerprint sensor device from the manufacture’s website and check if it gets detected.

If the issue still persist, you may also install the drivers in compatibility mode and check.

Follow the steps to install the drivers in compatibility mode.

• Download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
• Right-click on the installer and click on "Properties".
• Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box "Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select previous Operating System from the drop down.
• Click on ‘Apply’ and click ‘OK’ and run the file to install it.

After installing the drivers in compatibility mode, follow the method 3 and check if you are able to get the sign in option with Biometric.

Method 3:

• Press Windows logo key + I key.
• Click on Accounts.
• Go to Sign in options.
• The fingerprint option will always be visible if there is a WBF-supported fingerprint reader (and its associated driver) installed on the computer.

For more information, refer the following Microsoft help article.

Biometric Devices

Biometric Devices (Windows Drivers)

Hope it helps. Do let us know if your issue is resolved. For any further query, feel free to contact us.

Thank you.

 

Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor

How to Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics


Windows Hello biometrics lets you sign in to your devices, apps, online services, and networks using your fingerprint.

For more information about Windows Hello, see:

• Windows Hello and privacy | Microsoft privacy
• Windows Hello | Microsoft Docs
• Windows Hello biometric requirements | Microsoft Docs
• Windows Hello - UWP app developer | Microsoft Docs
• 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 elevate UAC permissions using biometrics unless disabled via policy.

If disabled, Windows Hello biometrics in Settings will also be disabled (grayed out) for all users.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable allowing all users to sign in to Windows 10 using biometrics.

*Warning You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable allowing users to sign in using biometrics.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor
• Option Two: Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics using a REG file

EXAMPLE: Windows Hello biometrics disabled in Settings











OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics in Local Group Policy Editor

*note 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)
*Arrow 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 users to log on using 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.


5. To Enable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

*note Not Configured is the default setting.

6. To Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using 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 Domain Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics using a REG file

*note The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Biometrics\Credential Provider

Enabled DWORD

0 = Disable
1 or (delete) = Enable


1. Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


2. To Enable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
*note 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_users_to_sign_in_using_biometrics.reg





3. To Disable Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_users_to_sign_in_using_biometrics.reg




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 Windows Hello Biometrics in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Domain Users to Sign in to Windows 10 using Biometrics
• How to Enable or Disable Users to use Companion Device to Sign in to 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
• Enable Enhanced Anti-Spoofing for Windows Hello Face Authentification in Windows 10
• How to Remove Your Face from Windows Hello in Windows 10
• How to Improve Windows Hello Face Recognition in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Automatically Dismiss Lock Screen for Windows Hello Face in Windows 10