[Paolo Cardelli]

I will be the first to admit that I was a little disappointed when I tried to use Window Hello on my new 950xl. It seemed that it would only work maybe one out of ten tries, so I would mostly just use the pin. I was bored one day, so decided to try to improve recognition and give it another try - and then I discovered what is literally directing people to go wrong - "Move Closer"

I noticed that when I had both of my eyes in the little window when trying to improve recognition, I would be prompted to move closer until only one eye was visible, then it would tell me it couldn't see me anymore. I also noticed that when it prompted me to move closer, but I ignored it, the progress bar would continue to progress without any problem.

So I decided to just pick a comfortable spot for myself, where I would normally want to hold the phone to unlock it. Absolutely ignoring EVERY "move closer" prompt - I re-ran the recognition procedure, and then did "improve recognition" four more times from about the same distance.

And now the biggest key, I now hold my phone at as close to the same distance as when I ran recognition procedure and when it says "move closer" I actually just open my eyes just a little wider. BAM! It now unlocks EVERY time!

Hope this helps others!

Agreed.
There's no need to Calibrate too much close to display.
Just start Windows Hello calibration on regular/normal distance from screen, with both eyes centered on screen, looking slightly lower at Microsoft logo, and without moving or closing your eyes.
Repeat the same way other 3 times on different conditions (completely dark room, dimmer lights room and outside in the morning or afternoon with natural light -not in direct sunlight) and you're good to go forever, no need to never calibrate again.

1 second (2 seconds Max) unlock, and 99,9% success rate

[douggrif]

I have discovered that if I hold my 950XL slightly above eye level tilting it down slightly towards my eyes and look at the "Microsoft" logo at the top of the phone (not at "looking for you" line) it unlocks very quickly, within one second.

I took the time to train the "Hello" screen located under "settings", personalization, "lock screen", "sign-in options" (at the very bottom of that screen), the "Improve Recognition". I wear glasses and I trained it for glasses and for without. It works the same for day or night. I am now happy with the results.

I also own a Surface Book and the Helloscreen works incredibly fast. I just have to approach the notebook and it recognizes me. Perhaps someday the 950XL will work even better.

[barareklam]

OK, I am not having big problems with windows Hello. It asks me to move closer sometimes. I have now done as you guys suggested and re-run iris recognition. I am asked to move closer while doing recognition, and if I ignore it, it does not continue. Anyhow now I have done it and we shall see if that helps.
But there is one Another thing. Sometimes Windows Hello tries to recognize me and fail and ask to unlock by PIN. But I can just swipe up and it is unlocked, so it is just bypassed, no security at all, IRIS failed, and it asked about pin but swipe up unlocks it anyway. Strange. Anyone with similar problems ?

[Marc Cupido 44]

Whenever I unlock my 950xl it gives the "couldn't recognize you message" immediately. How can I stop this from happening?

[Hardianto Wibowodiningrat]

OK, I am not having big problems with windows Hello. It asks me to move closer sometimes. I have now done as you guys suggested and re-run iris recognition. I am asked to move closer while doing recognition, and if I ignore it, it does not continue. Anyhow now I have done it and we shall see if that helps.
But there is one Another thing. Sometimes Windows Hello tries to recognize me and fail and ask to unlock by PIN. But I can just swipe up and it is unlocked, so it is just bypassed, no security at all, IRIS failed, and it asked about pin but swipe up unlocks it anyway. Strange. Anyone with similar problems ?

OK, I am not having big problems with windows Hello. It asks me to move closer sometimes. I have now done as you guys suggested and re-run iris recognition. I am asked to move closer while doing recognition, and if I ignore it, it does not continue. Anyhow now I have done it and we shall see if that helps.
But there is one Another thing. Sometimes Windows Hello tries to recognize me and fail and ask to unlock by PIN. But I can just swipe up and it is unlocked, so it is just bypassed, no security at all, IRIS failed, and it asked about pin but swipe up unlocks it anyway. Strange. Anyone with similar problems ?

How about your setting in require sign-in?
Always? 15 minutes? Or others?
If you set to always, then of your iris scanning isn't recognized you, you can't just swipe up the screen (you must input your pin)

[barareklam]

i have it on 5 minutes

[earl_z]

Does anyone have any suggestions for the wireless charging bug? Windows Hello tries to wake up and scan randomly when sitting on my wireless Qi charger. I saw another person post about this.

[Nelle Douville]

For anyone new to Windows Hello on a 950... I struggled initially, and even brought the first device back. I've since learned that the best approach is to ignore it's instructions to move closer. Hold it steady about a foot away and keep it there. It now unlocks every time.

[Ariel Takom]

No, this is not a click bait.

Yesterday I figured out how to unlock my 950 XL with Windows Hello iris recognition in 1 second (2 seconds Max), with 99% success rate.

That's how I did it, and some tricks to fine tune and optimize Windows Hello easily:

• Remove your Windows Hello configuration, Disable it. (this will erase all your previous calibrations, and it's a GOOD thing if you did it wrong in the first place)
• First calibrate Windows Hello inside a room, and not outside in bright sunlight. Don't wear glasses, and do not keep your phone too close. Just put in front of you like you would use it normally, and make sure your eyes are centered, and you're looking the upper side of phone like you would normally look for "Windows Hello is searching you" text on Lockscreen. Do NOT look straight to red light;
• Do the same thing above in: 1) Another room with different lighting (dimmer artificial lights), 2) In a completely dark room , 3) Outside with natural sunlight (but not under the direct sunlight on the phone);
• Then STOP keeping re-doing calibration with "Improve Windows Hello" again and again, maybe 15 times. The more you re-calibrate, the slower it will get.

That's it.
Now Windows Hello will recognize you 99% of the time, and will unlock almost instantly (1 to 2 seconds), and really makes Fingerprint scanner an old tech.

Try it yourselves, and let me know!

Cheers
-P

I actually felt that after calibrating Windows Hello for like 20 times, it became slower and slower. Guess my intuition wasn't wrong then! :D

[Ping Timeout]

Disabled it at once when discovered that i almost have to touch screen with my nose to be recognized. Only retinal onedrive unlock i left for 'innovation'. It's too retarded close to operate frequent unlock normally.

[sirena33774]

Love the discussions and tips. Learned a lot, thanks!

[adirh3]

Not a tip for everyone but if you a Samsung Android smartphone you can download Samsung Flow to invoke Windows Hello using your phone's fingerprint sensor. (Works with smartwatches too)