biometrics Archives

Winsage

February 6, 2025

How to Add Fingerprint Authentication to Your Windows 11 Computer

To set up fingerprint recognition on Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. Open the Windows 11 Settings app by pressing the Windows Key and typing “settings.” 2. Navigate to the Accounts menu from the sidebar. 3. Click on Sign-in options. 4. Select Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello) and click “Set up.” Enter your PIN or create one if you haven't already, then follow the prompts to register your fingerprint. If your fingerprint fails to work, you can revert to your PIN. Troubleshooting steps include restarting your computer, resetting your fingerprint data, adding an alternative fingerprint, or updating the fingerprint sensor drivers. Windows 11 also allows the use of facial recognition as an alternative to fingerprint authentication through Windows Hello. Benefits of using fingerprint sign-in include faster login, enhanced security due to the difficulty of replicating biometric data, and facilitating a transition to passwordless authentication systems.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Martin Lewis warning on bank app payment to Ryanair, JustEat and others

Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, cautioned about the "pay by bank app" options at online checkouts, noting that while they streamline transactions, they lack consumer protection compared to credit card payments. These methods, increasingly used on platforms like JustEat and Ryanair, involve selecting a bank and authenticating via biometrics, but function as bank transfers, which do not provide protections like chargeback rights or Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Section 75 allows credit card users to claim refunds for faulty goods or services. A KPMG UK survey found that over two-thirds of respondents with recent payment issues were more inclined to carry cash, with 22% having experienced such problems.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Windows 11 build 27764 is out with Start menu improvements and more

Microsoft has released a new preview build for Windows Insiders, designated as 27764, in the Canary Channel. Key enhancements include: - Start Menu: Users can access jump lists by right-clicking pinned apps. - Dynamic Lighting: A placeholder message appears when no compatible devices are connected, and new directional options have been added to the Wave and Gradient effects. - Input: The IME toolbar will be hidden in full-screen mode for Chinese or Japanese typing. - Narrator: New shortcuts allow users to skip links and jump to lists in scan mode. - Speech in Windows: Improvements to speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities, with prompts for manual language file updates. Resolved issues include: - A bugcheck issue causing PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA errors. - File Explorer improvements to prevent hanging with numerous media files. - Fixes for widget text overlapping on secondary monitors. - Resolution of mouse cursor visibility issues when pointer trails are enabled. - Corrections for HDDs being misidentified as SSDs in Task Manager. - Addressing lag and screen tearing on secondary monitors. - Fix for Excel hanging when opening certain files. Known bugs include: - Issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel. - Rollbacks during installation of Canary builds. - Ongoing work to resolve issues with accent-colored window borders, window shadows, and animations.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Microsoft Expands Access to Windows Recall AI Feature

Microsoft has expanded its Windows Recall feature to Copilot+ PCs with AMD and Intel chipsets, following its initial availability on Snapdragon devices. The feature is currently in a preview stage for Windows Insiders and allows users to capture and revisit specific snapshots of their work. Microsoft has implemented privacy and security measures, including data encryption, turning Recall off by default, and requiring Windows Hello biometrics for recording sessions. Recall is also part of Microsoft's bug bounty program to address security vulnerabilities. The rollout was delayed from June to October and then to November before being launched in a limited capacity.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

How to manage the passwordless sign feature on Windows 11

Windows 11 allows users to opt for a passwordless authentication experience using the Windows Hello feature, which includes biometric options like facial recognition, fingerprints, or a PIN. Users can enable passwordless sign-in through the Settings app by toggling the relevant option under Accounts > Sign-in options, or by modifying the Registry Editor by changing the DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion key from 0 to 2. This process disables the use of a password for local Windows accounts but does not remove the password from the Microsoft account. A system restart may be required to apply changes.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Windows 11 Canary build 27758 is out with several fixes for taskbar, File Explorer, and more

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11 for Canary users, specifically build 27758, which includes several enhancements: - File Explorer: The search box has been adjusted to prevent it from extending beyond the window's edge. - Taskbar: A fix has been made to prevent crashes of explorer.exe when right-clicking app icons. - Input: An issue with the mouse cursor becoming invisible over text fields in certain applications has been resolved. - Desktop: Improvements ensure desktop backgrounds display correctly across multiple monitors. - Task Manager: Work is ongoing to correct the alignment of the Mica background when resized with settings open. - Narrator: A crash issue at launch when using natural voices has been addressed. - Audio: Fixes prevent USB audio devices from going to sleep after one minute of inactivity and address unexpected mute/unmute sounds in certain headsets. - Settings: Crashes when selecting a default audio device have been rectified. - Other: An issue causing an unexpected black line along the top border of windows has been resolved. Known bugs include: - Users on Copilot+ PCs may experience issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics, leading to error 0xd0000225. - Rollbacks during installation of the latest Canary builds are under investigation. - Microsoft is addressing issues related to accent-colored window borders, shadows, and animations. - A new bugcheck issue with error PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA has been identified.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27754 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27754 has been released to the Canary Channel. SDKs for the 27xxx series builds are not planned for release. Key updates include: - Modernized Windows Hello with new visuals for clearer communication and an improved user experience for passkeys. - Users can now launch items as an administrator from the Start menu or taskbar by holding Shift and CTRL. - Enhanced taskbar previews and animations based on user feedback. - A simplified system tray is being tested, featuring a shortened date/time format and a notifications bell icon based on Do Not Disturb status. Fixes include: - Resolved issues with the Digital Markets Act policy application and update rollback leading to duplicate Windows entries. - Fixed display issues for RAW images in File Explorer and improved the search box functionality. - Corrected widget text overlap on secondary monitors and resolved mouse unlocking issues in games. Known issues include: - New users may face Windows Hello PIN and biometrics issues, with error 0xd0000225. - Investigating reports of rollbacks during installation and display issues with accent-colored window borders. - Desktop backgrounds may not display correctly on multiple monitors. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds are early platform changes and may evolve based on feedback. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Windows 11 build 27754 is out with modernized Windows Hello, new taskbar features, more

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update for Canary insiders, featuring Build 27754. Key enhancements include a revamped Windows Hello interface, improved taskbar features, and various updates for user interaction. Users can now launch jump list items as administrators using Shift and CTRL. Taskbar previews and animations have been updated, and a simplified system tray design is being tested. Fixes include resolving issues with the Digital Markets Act policy, incorrect thumbnail displays for RAW images, and problems affecting secondary monitors. Known issues include potential errors with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics on Copilot+ PCs and display problems with desktop backgrounds on multi-monitor systems.

Winsage

November 14, 2024

Windows 11 Canary build 27749 brings fixes for File Explorer, taskbar, Task Manager and more

Windows build 27749 is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel, focusing on fixes rather than new features. Key updates include: - Narrator: A new shortcut for copying the last spoken phrase to the clipboard and automatic reading of email contents in the new Outlook app. - File Explorer: Resolved excessive spacing in the navigation pane and fixed incorrect display of portrait mode RAW images. - Taskbar & System Tray: The taskbar now shows a search box instead of an icon when set to "Search box." - Input: Updated mouse pointer location visibility for high DPI monitors. - Task Manager: Fixed an issue showing zero apps and processes. - Audio: Prevented certain audio devices from setting volume to 100% upon boot or waking from sleep. - Other Fixes: Addressed issues affecting Git functionality on Arm PCs, KERNELMODEHEAP_CORRUPTION bugcheck, domain joining, and DirectAccess connectivity. Known bugs include an error affecting Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel on Copilot+ PCs, installation rollbacks, crashes in remote access applications, policy application issues for the Digital Markets Act in EEA regions, and desktop background display problems on multiple monitors.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Windows 11 Canary Build 27744 returns the Gamepad keyboard, and fixes old dGPUs

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 in the Canary Channel, providing a unified experience and eliminating the previous dual-experience model. This build enhances the Prism emulator for Windows on Arm, allowing a wider range of 64-bit x86 applications to run, including support for additional CPU features. The update enables previously incompatible games and creative software to function on Arm devices. Key changes include the simplification of the Start menu, a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, and updates to Task Manager and Settings. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues with NVIDIA GPUs, the Emoji Panel, Windows Sandbox performance, and various graphics and app-related bugs. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN on new Copilot+ PCs and desktop background display across multiple monitors. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience.