Offline biometrics user experience

Users can now use their face or fingerprint to sign in to their Windows computer, providing a fast and secure passwordless experience. After a one-time setup, they can unlock their device without needing to enter a password or approve a push notification.

Before you begin

  • Enable the offline biometrics feature.

  • User devices must have a Windows Hello compatible fingerprint reader or a facial recognition camera.

  • Confirm that users have already enrolled facial or fingerprint biometrics in Windows Hello.

    If they haven't, they can go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options in Windows.

  1. Register user biometrics with Okta.

    The first time a user signs in after you enable this feature, they need to register their biometrics with Okta.

    1. Sign in to their Windows computer with their Okta password.
    2. After they sign in, an Okta Verify window appears, prompting the user to configure a passwordless sign-in option.
    3. Then they follow the on-screen instructions to register their Windows Hello fingerprint or facial biometric. This links their local biometrics with their Okta account for secure offline verification.
  2. Sign in using passwordless.

    After registration is complete, all future sign-in flows are passwordless.

    1. At the Windows sign-in screen, the system prompts the user for their face or fingerprint.
    2. Users can scan their fingerprint or look at the camera to sign in instantly.

    This method works even if a user's computer isn't connected to the internet.