On Windows 10, if you no longer prefer to sign-in using Windows Hello Fingerprint, you can remove your fingerprint data to disable the biometric authentication feature.
Although it’s recommended to use a fingerprint reader on Windows 10, since it provides a more convenient and secure sign-in mechanism than a password, there are a still many reasons why you may to disable the feature. For example, you may want to delete all your fingerprints to reset the feature when it’s not working correctly. You want to continue signing in with a traditional password, or you no longer have such peripheral attached to the computer.
Regardless of the reason, Windows 10 includes an option to delete the Windows Hello Fingerprint data to disable the feature from the Sign-in options page in the Settings app.
In this guide, you’ll learn the step to disable the Windows Hello Fingerprint on Windows 10.
Disable Windows Hello Fingerprint on Windows 10
To remove your fingerprint data from Windows Hello, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 10.
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Click on Accounts.
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Click on Sign-in options.
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Under the “Manage how you sign in to your device” section, select the Windows Hello Fingerprint option.
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Click the Remove button.
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Click the Remove button again.
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Confirm the account password.
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Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, you can continue signing in with a traditional password. If you are also using Window Hello Face or PIN, you will need to remove those configurations as well to completely disable the Windows Hello feature on your device.
If you want to use another form of Windows Hello authentication, you don’t need to remove your fingerprint information. You can simply set up Windows Hello Face or PIN alongside fingerprint.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.