The Plain English Guide to: Windows Hello for Business  

Introduction 

If you’ve spent much time on the Get Support blog, you’ll already know how we feel about passwords. 

Between forgotten resets, phishing scams, and the hassle of managing multiple logins, they’re a security risk and a productivity drain. Windows Hello for Business is Microsoft’s answer to simpler, safer access for business users on Windows 10 or 11 devices. 

But how does it work? Does your organisation need it? And how do you get started? 

Let’s take a look. 

What is Windows Hello for Business? 

Windows Hello for Business (WHfB for short) lets your team log in to your Windows device (and any connected Microsoft 365 services via Entra ID) using your face, fingerprint, or a PIN instead of a password. It’s a form of key-based authentication, where the device is the lock and the biometric data or PIN is they key.  

Here’s the big differentiator: it doesn’t store any of your organisation’s biometric data online.  

Instead, WHfB keeps everything locked tight on your device. That ‘lock’ is actually a dedicated chip, called a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is inside all devices supported by WHfB.  

What does all of this mean for you at work? Well, even if hackers were to breach your systems via the internet, they’d still be unable to access the data on your local machines because it’s all tied to that device. To get in, hackers would need to have both physical access to the machine (and its TPM), plus your face, fingerprint, or PIN.  

That’s quite a defence! 

Windows Hello vs. Windows Hello for Business   

You might have heard of (or seen) Windows Hello as an option of home versions of Windows 10 and 11.  

While vanilla Windows Hello focuses on individual sign-ins, Windows Hello for Business is designed for organisations. That means it integrates with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), supports certificate or key-based logins, and allows IT teams to enforce security policies across multiple devices.  

Isn’t a PIN the same as a password? 

It’s easy to understand why biometrics like your face or fingerprint scan are airtight authentication options, but you might be wondering about a PIN. Isn’t a four-digit (or more) number as risky as an alphanumeric password?  

Not at all. And here’s why: 

1. The WHfB PIN is tied to a single device, unlike a password which can be used on any machine or the web. Without the encrypted key locked inside the TPM on that device, the PIN is useless.  
2. Your PIN never travels over the network. Again, unlike traditional passwords which are stored on authentication servers and transmitted over networks, your PIN stays local to one device. 
3. A four-digit PIN has 10,000 possible combinations, but that’s just the minimum. A six-digit PIN has one million possible combinations. On top of that, the TPM in WHfB has anti-tampering protection built in, essentially making brute-force attacks impossible. Organisations can also enforce longer or more complex PINs, with numbers or letters, if necessary.  

Why should your business care about WHfB? 

You’re probably already seeing some of the benefits of Windows Hello for Business, but here are some of the biggest reasons we recommend it: 

• Say goodbye to password-related breaches. Phishing emails? Brute-force attacks? Windows Hello for Business eliminates the need for passwords and reduces these risks. Since there’s no traditional password to steal, cybercriminals can’t trick employees into handing over login details. Even better, the system uses “asymmetric encryption” – a fancy term meaning your private key stays on your device, so servers never hold vulnerable data. 
• Save time (and sanity). How much time does your team waste typing or resetting passwords? With a quick face scan or fingerprint tap, employees get into devices and apps faster. Forgot your biometric? The backup PIN is device-specific – useless on any other machine. 
• Scale security as you grow. Windows Hello for Business lets you roll out biometric logins gradually. You can start with a pilot group, then expand as you upgrade your hardware. Plus, conditional access policies mean you can block logins from unapproved locations or risky networks – and that’s especially useful for hybrid or remote work setups. 

How to get started with Windows Hello for Business 

Good news: Windows Hello for Business is included in Windows 10 and 11 Pro or Enterprise editions. To integrate it with Microsoft 365 and enforce policies, you’ll need to manage it via Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). 

That means having the right Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise licenses: 

• Microsoft 365 Business Premium: Ideal for small businesses, covers Entra ID and allows device management through Microsoft Intune. 
• Windows Enterprise E3/E5: For larger teams needing advanced security controls, analytics, and enhanced identity protection. 

In terms of the hardware you’ll need in your fleet of devices to support Windows Hello for Business, here’s a quick checklist: 

• Facial recognition requires an infrared (IR) camera. These sensors detect depth and heat, so a photo or mask won’t fool them. Many newer laptops, such as the Microsoft Surface line, include this. 
• Fingerprint readers require capacitive sensors (the type that scan ridges, not just patterns). External USB scanners work, but built-in ones will be a smoother experience for your team.  
• Iris scanning is an option, but it’s still very niche. It’s mostly found on HoloLens 2 devices, so most businesses stick with face or fingerprint options. 

We know there’s a lot to process with Windows Hello for Business, so if you have any questions about getting started, please just ask your Get Support Customer Success Manager, or call the team directly on 01865 594000.