Reputable brand of fingerprint reader for Windows Hello

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Dynamic

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#320425 12-Aug-2025 17:49

We're playing with Windows Hello for Business and Passwordless stuff a bit more lately. Windows Hello capable webcams are great, but at certain times of the day with different light behind me the cameras I've tried often struggle. They fluff around for 5-15 seconds and may then either find and log me in or ask for my PIN/password.

Can anyone recommend a reputable brand of fingerprint reader to attach to a desktop computer? I've got a Kensington branded device on order but would like to try a couple of options. Currently I'm struggling to find another option in a brand that I've heard of before.

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timmmay

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#3402239 12-Aug-2025 20:59

Can you not just use pin unlock with the code 5555 like the rest of us? 😉

mdav056

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#3402245 12-Aug-2025 21:32

Try the Dell wired mouse with fingerprint reader. Works excellently with Win 11.

gml

gzt

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#3402305 12-Aug-2025 22:47

mdav056: Try the Dell wired mouse with fingerprint reader. Works excellently with Win 11.

Looks discontinued.

gehenna

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#3402315 13-Aug-2025 07:32

I have one like this, but I only paid around $25 delivered. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006904512579.html

sidefx

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#3402317 13-Aug-2025 07:50

Have not tried it, but this seems to get decent reviews on Amazon au:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Fingerprint-TEC-Bio-Metric-Password-Free-Encryption/dp/B08DCFMSLG

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#3402320 13-Aug-2025 08:05

Good for laptops. Not so good for many desktop scenarios.

johno1234

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#3402324 13-Aug-2025 08:31

I wish my laptop had an IR camera so it could do Windows Hello facial recognition. Would be easier and quicker than fingerprint recognition too wouldn't it?

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Dynamic

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#3402326 13-Aug-2025 08:44

johno1234:

I wish my laptop had an IR camera so it could do Windows Hello facial recognition. Would be easier and quicker than fingerprint recognition too wouldn't it?

As mentioned in my original post, I'm finding that background lighting changes affect its reliability. I'm using the Lenovo 4XC1D66055 on my desktop, and the built in webcam on my HP EliteBook G9 and my experience is the same on both devices. It's good, but not perfect.

mdav056:

Try the Dell wired mouse with fingerprint reader. Works excellently with Win 11.

As gzt mentioned, this was discontinued. I've got an older one for testing but can't roll out a discontinued product to our team or to clients. My experience so far has been positive, but only 2 days use so far.

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#3402329 13-Aug-2025 08:48

The Kingston range brochure mentions something I was not previous aware of. Match-on-host vs Match-in-sensor. I wonder about the pros and cons of each. The Match-on-host looks to be the cheaper option, which makes sense as it's probably a simpler device to design and manufacture.

See the table on Page 6 - k21-3603-verimarkbrochure2021-v6_1626752318.pdf

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djtOtago

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#3402330 13-Aug-2025 08:49

johno1234:

I wish my laptop had an IR camera so it could do Windows Hello facial recognition. Would be easier and quicker than fingerprint recognition too wouldn't it?

I find fingerprint easier and faster. For me, the fingerprint reader is always ready to read before the camera is ready to see.