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Microsoft Takes Wraps Off 'Modernized' Windows Hello

Windows 11 users will see a new and improved Windows Hello interface, Microsoft said recently.

The "modernized Windows Hello" is currently in preview for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build users. It integrates UI elements that align it closer with Windows 11's look and feel, according to a Microsoft a blog post last week.

"The updated Windows Hello visuals are designed to facilitate fast and clear communication and appear on the Windows Sign-in screen as well as other authentication flows such as passkey, Microsoft Store and many more," said Microsoft.

[Click on image for larger view.] Figure 1. Microsoft's new Windows Hello experience in Windows 11.

Windows Hello, which was first introduced in Windows 10, is the company's multifactor authentication solution that uses PIN, fingerprints and face recognition to log in to a Windows machine. Along with the UI change, Microsoft recently introduced Passkeys (which uses public-key cryptography for authentication) into its current preview of Windows Hello on Windows 11.

Microsoft said that its passkey module will also receive the same revamped UI look and feel. "We redesigned Windows security credential user experiences for passkey creating a cleaner experience that supports secured and quick authentication," it said. "Users will now be able to switch between authentication options and select passkey/devices more intuitively."

[Click on image for larger view.] Figure 2. Microsoft passkey sign-in screen in Windows Hello.

Those in the Dev Channel of Microsoft's Insider Preview can start previewing the updated Windows Hello in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2200 (KB5044376), which was released on Oct. 25. The other major addition to this preview (outside the normal number of fixes and tweaks) is enhancements to Windows Studio Effects, Microsoft's AI-powered feature that adds special effects to video and sound for specific Windows devices with compatible Neural Processing Units (NPUs).

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

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