Step 1: Set up biometrics within Windows Hello
- Press Start key on keyboard, or click on Start icon in lower left corner of Windows.
- Type in Sign
- In search results, click on 'Sign-In Options' (system settings)
- Under Ways to sign in, Windows will display your available hardware options under 'Facial Recognition' and 'Fingerprint recognition'.*
- Click the option you would like to set up, if available, and click on 'Set up' button.
- In Windows Hello setup window, click 'Get Started' and follow on-screen prompts to add biometrics.
- Fingerprint recognition: The fingerprint sensor is built into the laptop's power button (for any laptop bought after April 2023).
- For the fingerprint recognition setup, pick the finger you would like to use for authentication. Follow the on-screen prompts that will guide you through gently touching and lifting up your finger repeatedly on the fingerprint sensor. Windows will confirm when you have done this enough times that the finger is registered. Once complete, you have the option to set up an additional finger.
- If built-in fingerprint reader, do NOT press down on power button.
- Facial recognition: If you have an IR webcam, it is highly recommended that you register this as an additional option. It tends to be less problematic than fingerprint login.
- If you have more than one IR webcam (laptop and monitor), select your preferred Hello camera in the drop-down menu.

- You will be prompted to set up a pin when setting up biometrics for the first time on a new device.
Note: If you forget your pin later, you will need to remove pin and re-register your biometrics.
- Enter your Cornell NetID password to authenticate and click OK.
- Type in your desired pin.
- Click the checkbox if you would like to use a mix of numbers, letter and symbols.
- Length must be at least 6 characters.
- OPTIONAL - Return to step 4 to add in the other available biometrics option (fingerprint/facial).
- Sign out or restart your computer to test signing into Windows with biometrics.
*For staff with no available biometric options available:
If both facial recognition and fingerprint show "This option is currently unavailable, your laptop and connected equipment do not have this capability. External USB fingerprint readers are available for around $25-$30.
If you have a 24" monitor with a built-in webcam, and Windows shows no available option for facial recognition setup, please contact IT support at https://westernhelpdesk.cce.cornell.edu/. Driver updates may be need to be installed before it will function.