I just got my Framework 16 laptop (yay!) and I was having trouble with the fingerprint reader in Windows. I honestly don’t know if this is a framework question or a Windows question. I registered a fingerprint when I set up Windows the first time. When I wasn’t able to log in with my fingerprint I tried deleting the fingerprint to re-add it. When I did the fingerprint registration Windows said something like “That Fingerprint is too similar to one that’s already set up.”
I did a little googling around and one post suggested deleting fingerpints from the BIOS. Is that right? How do I do that (if it is right), or should I be using some other procedure in Windows to reset fingerprints?
Windows can be finicky about unenrolling fingerprints with the device. You may want to contact support about their suggested methods when you get the “That Fingerprint is too similar to one that’s already set setup.” message.
If Windows Hello setup is not removing it, then the database might have to be removed from Windows.
This involves:
stopping the Windows Biometric Service
locating the database which is usually found at: C:\Windows\System32\WinBioDatabase
then deleting the *.dat files. [May be a good idea to backup these before deleting them just in case]
Restarting the Windows Biometric Service and then trying to re-enrolling through Windows Hello setup.
The most robust option is to reset the TPM through the BIOS. This may effect other things too [If Bitlocker is turned on; be sure to have a BACKUP of the RECOVERY KEY!]
Again, contact Framework Support to find out what their best suggestion is to clear the fingerprint that is stored on the device. We are all end users here on the forums.
Always add more than 1 fingerprint when registering and from BOTH hands. Congratulations on the Framework Laptop 16. It is a great machine. Happy New Year!
