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Microsoft's Windows Hello feature allows you to sign in to your computer using biometric methods such as facial or fingerprint recognition. Many laptops come with congenital-in fingerprint readers. But if you have a laptop without a built-in reader, or yous desire to add together fingerprint recognition to your desktop PC, you tin can enlist the help of a third-party reader. What are your options, and how can you fix an external fingerprint sensor? Allow'southward become over the steps.

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If you already have a laptop with a fingerprint sensor, you're good to get. If you lot're in the market for a new laptop and want one with a fingerprint reader, several options are available.

Laptops with built-in fingerprint readers

  • Lenovo. Lenovo laptops have traditionally come with integrated fingerprint readers that you swipe or printing.
  • HP. HP's Pavilion and Envy computers include fingerprint readers.
  • Dell. Many Dell laptops also come with fingerprint sensors.
  • Asus. Asus is another manufacturer that outfits many of its laptops with fingerprint readers.
  • Acer. Many Acer laptops
    have congenital-in fingerprint sensors.

Other laptop makers offering fingerprint readers, but these 5 should provide a expert starting point.

USB fingerprint readers for laptops

If your electric current laptop does not have an integrated fingerprint reader, you can easily add 1 via a USB dongle or stick. Your best bet with a laptop is to buy a USB reader that plugs directly into a side USB port. Y'all then simply press or swipe your finger on the sensor when needed.

Lexar is one manufacturer to consider as it makes a device that doubles as a USB drive and fingerprint reader. Kensington is as well worth considering as information technology offers a few different mini USB fingerprint sensors. The Eikon Mini USB fingerprint reader has received four stars via Amazon buyers. The Benss Fingerprint Reader Analyzer
has also earned positive grades on Amazon. The PQI Mini USB fingerprint reader is some other production that has garnered good reviews via Amazon.

USB fingerprint readers for desktops

You can also add together a fingerprint sensor to your desktop computer. However, the kind of sensor you choose depends on the format and location of your desktop. If your desktop is correct on your desk with a USB port easily attainable, then a USB stick or dongle should work. Just if your desktop is on the floor with no USB ports in arm's achieve, you'll want a fingerprint reader that connects to USB port via a cable.

In this case, a few models are available. A visitor called Verifi makes several different fingerprint readers with USB cables. Digital Persona makes a cable-based fingerprint sensor that's earned good reviews on Amazon. Another manufacturer worth considering is Bio-Cardinal, which makes several fingerprint readers, including the cable-continued EcoID. I utilize the Bio-Key EcoID with my Windows 10 desktop. Except for the rare glitch when it fails to detect my fingerprint the start fourth dimension, the device has performed well.

Speaking of glitches, you'll want to periodically clean the sensor on a fingerprint reader. I notice that keeping this area make clean helps reduce errors when detecting my fingerprint.

Setting up your fingerprint reader

Depending on the fingerprint reader y'all purchase, setting information technology up should be a relatively elementary plug-and-play affair. The included instructions and the vendor itself can hopefully help you with any technical problems.

From there, setting up the fingerprint reader as a Windows Howdy device should be fairly quick and like shooting fish in a barrel. Before you can set up a Windows Hello device, you'll demand to accept already created a Pin.

Connect your fingerprint reader to a convenient USB port. In Windows ten, go to Settings and then Accounts and then Sign-in options. If your sensor is detected, a observe should announced nether Windows Hello Fingerprint that reads: "Sign in with your fingerprint scanner (Recommended)." Click that option and then click the Set upward button (Figure A).

Figure A

At the Welcome to Windows How-do-you-do window, click the Become Started button (Figure B).

Figure B

At the next screen, enter your PIN. And so repeatedly bear upon or swipe and lift your finger on the sensor (Figure C). When finished, click Shut to close the Windows Howdy window.

Effigy C

Yous can now add another fingerprint if you wish. Otherwise, sign out of Windows and then try to sign back in. This fourth dimension, choose your fingerprint, and you should exist able to authenticate via your sensor.