ProTip: Want to add Windows Hello to a PC that doesn't have biometric sensors? Here's how to add a cheap fingerprint scanner

scrimshaw on 05/01/2017 - 15:50
Last edited 05/01/2017 - 16:04

Using Windows 10, Windows Hello lets you login to a computer without a PIN or password by simply scanning your face with a compatible webcam or via a much more common option: a fingerprint scan.

Unfortunately fingerprint scanners are a feature usually found only on top-end business and corporate laptops (e.g Thinkpad, HP Elitebooks and Dell Latitudes) and if you're on a desktop, you most probably wouldn't have one either.

This quick guide will show you how to add a fingerprint scanner to a Desktop PC.

You need the following:

  1. A cheap fingerprint sensor. The model I will be using and installing is this unbranded one from Aliexpress. It only costs $10.47 USD (around $14.20 Aussie Dollaroos). Don't forget the 7.5 percent Cashback. If you don't trust Aliexpress, try ebay

  2. A computer running Win 10 64Bit.

After you have received your device, connect the fingerprint scanner to a USB port on your PC. The included USB Mini cable is rather short at 2 ft long (so an extension cable may be required).

You'll also get a driver DVD, which you will not need. Toss it out or use it as a drink coaster.

Windows will start installing a generic driver automatically, simply ignore it and let it finish installing. at this stage, you will see an EgisTec ES603 appear in the list of connected devices in 'Devices' panel in Settings or in the Device manager (listed as a Biometric sensor)

To grab a Windows compatible driver, hit the Acer Support page and search for TravelMate P446-M.

Expand the Driver section and look for the Fingerprint Driver (with the vendor: STMicro)
This here is a direct link, which may or may not work for you

Unzip the file to get the installer executable. 64 bit only.
Install the driver and reboot the computer (this is optional).

Open Cortana by hitting the start button and search for Windows Hello and click set up fingerprint sign in. On the next screen, you'll be able to start using your fingerprints to authenticate yourself.

So what can you use a fingerprint reader for, apart from logging into your PC?

Lastpass (Premium) has support for multi-factor authentication and can also leverage Windows Biometric Framework for logins. This means you can manage all your passwords and login to your favourite websites and accounts using fingerprint.

https://helpdesk.lastpass.com/multifactor-authentication-opt…

This also includes any Windows "Apps" in the store that support fingerprint reading, including a password manager called EnPass, Dropbox, Onedrive and a twitter client Fenice

Computing

Comments

  • Savas on 05/01/2017 - 15:52
    +1

    Appreciate the hard work!

  • bluesky on 06/01/2017 - 04:33
    +1

    Once set-up, using the cheap sensor you mentioned, how reliable is it to recognise fingerprints? Not expecting perfect, as long as it works most of the time, would be fine. Would you say so? Thanks in advance.

    • scrimshaw on 07/01/2017 - 00:59
      +1

      I trialed it using some fingers.

      Thumb recognition — very poor. Almost impossible to recognize the thumb. I got locked out after 5-6 unsuccesful attempts and had to PIN login. This reader was not designed for thumbs I suppose.

      index finger — very good — 9/10 times i tried was a success in Hello. Even with a greasy sweaty finger that's been combing through my hair, the sensor picked it up fine.

      It wasn't as sensitive as the Synaptics made reader that was present in my HP Elitebook, (since the sensor strip sits flush) so you do need to use a little bit more pressure. For $14 AUD the performance is actually quite good.

      • bluesky on 07/01/2017 - 04:03

        9/10 is pretty good, for such a small outlay. Thanks very much for the info.

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 07/01/2017 - 01:48

    I was curious about the facial recognition part of Windows Hello, so I did a bit of searching. Supposedly it's possible to add this by getting one of the Intel RealSense developer kits (here). Expensive though, and not widely sold for some reason. Strange.

    On finger prints, though, I'm annoyed Microsoft's recent bluetooth Surface Keyboard didn't have a reader. Would've been an instant buy for me if it did.

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