![]() ![]() That’s no longer the case with Windows 10, which now includes native support for fingerprint scanning. Integrated fingerprint scanners have been available on laptops-most often on business-focused models-for a number of years, but they always required (often complicated and temperamental) third-party utilities to work with Windows. (If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a PIN before you can use a biometric login option.) 3. If you have the hardware to support Windows Hello biometric login, you’ll see those options in the same place as the PIN and Picture password. For optimal results it’s probably best to use Picture password only on systems with touchscreens.Īs with the PIN option, if you’re using Picture password and want to fall back to conventional password authentication (or to PIN if you’ve already set that up as well), it’s accessible via the Sign-in options link. The upshot is that it might take several tries to get Windows 10 to accept your mouse-based gestures as accurate when you log in later. With Picture password, log in by reproducing three gestures on your chosen image. However, size, position, and direction of the gestures (as well as the order in which you draw them) are all recorded, and at least in our experience, making precise, repeatable gestures is harder with a mouse than with a finger. ![]() These gestures can consist of circles, straight lines, or taps and you can draw them with either a finger or a mouse. Next you’ll be asked to draw-and then re-draw for confirmation-three distinct gestures on the picture. If you opt to create a Picture password, after confirming your alphanumeric password you’ll be given the option to choose a picture from among the images stored on your PC. If you ever want to switch back to logging into Windows 10 with a password, use the Sign-in options link underneath the PIN box and click/tap the Key button. trying to gain access by providing all possible number combinations in rapid succession). TIP: If you use a keyboard’s numeric keypad to enter the PIN and don’t see any response to your keystrokes, check the status of the Num Lock key.Īlso note that if you enter an incorrect PIN four times, you’ll be required to type in a challenge phrase to guard against a potential brute force attack (i.e. Once you’ve created your PIN, Windows 10 will automatically prompt you for it rather than your password the next time you log in, and you’ll get access to the PC as soon as you type the last digit of the PIN-unlike a password, no need to press Enter at the end. Login to Windows 10 using a PIN (consisting of at least four digits). PINs must be at least four digits long, but they can have six, eight, or more digits. When you opt to add a PIN, Windows 10 will first prompt you to enter your password, then to specify and confirm your PIN. To enable either of these login methods, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and click the Add button under the appropriate option. Unlike the biometric authentication options provided by Windows Hello, PIN and Picture Password can be used on pretty much any Windows 10 PC. Password Login Alternatives in Windows 10 Read on for details about how and when you can use them. While these alternative login methods don’t eliminate the need for a password, they do save you the trouble of having to type it regularly, which makes logging in faster and more convenient. These alternative login methods include PIN, Picture Passwords, and “Windows Hello,” which lets you log in biometrically via fingerprint or facial recognition-provided your PC has hardware that supports these options. That’s why it’s significant that Windows 10 offers several ways to log into a PC that don’t involve typing in a password. Of course, the other side of the coin is that the best passwords-the kinds that are long and strong-are also the most time-consuming and error-prone to input. ![]() You probably already know that good password practices are an important way to protect access to your accounts. ![]()
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