I bought a fingerprint reader and have set it up with Windows 10. I am trying to work out how to avoid typing my very long BitWarden master password several times per day, especially in situations where others are present.
On my (Android) phone, I can simply use the built-in fingerprint reader, but I haven’t found how to configure that on Windows.
Any help would be appreciated,
Dax.
Hi Dax,
Are you having a problem with configuring the fingerprint reader at all, or are you having a problem setting it up with Bitwarden?
If it’s Windows, you typically do Settings → Windows Update → Check for update, to download the necessary driver, and then enable Windows hello with Fingerprint.
If it’s Bitwarden, there is this instruction:
Hey @Neuron5569, thanks so much for your reply.
I have just installed the desktop version of the Bitwarden program (browser extension is what I usually use), but unfortunately the App Settings page doesn’t look the same as the help center article you sent.
Help centre example:
Mine:
This is my Windows Sign-In Options page:
The ‘Security Key’ option is definitely this fingerprint reader because I was able to scan my fingerprints using that function.
Biometric unlock in Bitwarden on on Windows requires Windows Hello, which looks like it is not supported on your device. Maybe there is a way that you can enable Windows Hello on your device, otherwise it does not look promising.
Bitwarden does not support unlocking using a security key. Theoretically, you could log in to (not unlock) the Web Vault app using a security key, but this is not supported in Windows 10.
Hi Dax,
Can you list the brand and model of your fingerprint reader?
Like @grb has said, the prerequisite is to be able to use that fingerprint reader with Windows hello (not as a security key), so you’ll have to figure out how to get the reader to work with Windows hello first. When I set mine up, doing Settings → Windows Update → Check for update allowed me to use mine with Hello.
Start by working on getting the finger print reader working to login to the computer itself. Most manufacturers have instructions.
As others have said, Bitwarden depends upon Windows Hello, so you need to get Hello working first.
Hey everyone,
Thanks for letting me know that BW can only use a Windows Hello device. That makes a lot of sense why I’m not seeing the same options.
The device is Kensington Verimark K64708WW which is supposed to work with Hello. Kensington support says it doesn’t require a separate driver download, so I’m stumped. Perhaps the unit is defective? Seems unlikely since I’ve been able to set it up and read my fingerprints with it, but only as a ‘hardware key’.
I have installed all Win 10 updates (except a preview update from June 2024), but still no joy. I’ve emailed Kensington support again and hopefully they can explain why it’s being treated as a Hardware Key instead of a fingerprint reader.
I’ll check back in once I have the info.
Thanks!
By the Amazon listing, it doesn’t look like it supports Windows hello:
https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-FID02-Security-Fingerprint-Reader/dp/B08J7KXMM8
In addition to @Neuron5569’s observation, Kensington’s website also subtly mentions that this model does not support Windows Hello:
Maximum compatibility with web services including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft (for Windows Hello, refer to VeriMark or VeriMark IT), with support for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
And yes, their grammar could be much clearer.
Over the years, I have learned that if cameras do not explicitly and loudly state Windows Hello compatibility, it probably will not work. Appears that this is true for fingerprint readers too.
Hoping you can return it. When you purchase its replacement, check both that the vendor/seller loudly claims compatibility and also that the Amazon reviews mention success using it with Hello.
Thanks everyone!
