6 Different Ways to Login Windows 10 Laptop

There are multiple digital locks that you can use to keep your Windows 10 laptops protected. Most of the time, we use a default sign-in interface offered in Windows based on Microsoft account password. You can also use other different sign-in options to securely login to your Windows 10 laptop or PC.

6 Different Ways to Login Windows 10 Laptop

Though there are different options available for login, you can use one or two methods as per your convenient. For example, if you use Microsoft account then fingerprint or PIN will be more convenient instead of entering the password every time.

1. Sign In With Local Password

This is a basic way to make sure that your Windows 10 laptop is properly protected with a local password. It will protect your PC from unauthorized physical access especially if you don’t want to use Microsoft account.

First of all, you need to go to “Start Menu > Settings > Accounts > Your email and accounts” Option. Click on the “Sign in with a local account instead” link under your Microsoft account. Follow the step by step instructions in our earlier article on how to setup local account in Windows 10 to create local login for your laptop.

2. Use Numerical PIN

Other than using local password, you can also use PIN to secure your Windows 10 installation. This method can be quite convenient if you tend to memorize numbers more easily. Learn how to setup PIN for your login.

3. Use Picture Password

Most people quickly remember the pattern on the images and when implemented properly compared to password. It is similar to using pattern on Android phones and better than using typical passwords and PIN.

With picture password, you combine an image using multiple gestures until you can unlock it. Instead of using keyboard, you use mouse to unlock the laptop using picture password. You can also use touch screen if your device supports it. Learn how to setup picture password for Windows 10.

4. Use Windows Hello

Nowadays most of the Windows 10 laptops are available with fingerprint reader. If you have purchased a Windows 10 laptop with built-in fingerprint reader, then it is possible to use Windows Hello. It’s a biometric authentication feature that’s supported by the Windows 10 operating system.

Other than recognizing your fingerprints, Windows Hello also supports facial recognition. It means that you can immediately log into Windows 10 without typing in your password. However, standard laptop webcam doesn’t support this feature. There should be a special hardware module that is connected to the built-in camera to properly recognize your facial features. Your laptop may also need to have infrared imaging capability, so it can detect your face better in low-light situations.

Again, go to “Stat Menu > Settings-> Accounts-> Sign-in Options”. Look for the fingerprint option under the Windows Hello heading. Follow the instruction in this article and record your fingerprint information for future access.

Windows Hello can also integrate with multiple companion devices, including Windows Band. So, when the paired device is placed near Windows 10 laptop, it will be unlocked.

5. Integrate it with Samsung Galaxy devices

In many cases, your laptop doesn’t have built-in fingerprint reader or compatible webcam for face id recognition. As an alternate solution, you can pair your laptop with Samsung Galaxy devices with fingerprint sensor. Your laptop needs to have the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip for this process to work. You also need to use Samsung Galaxy models with Android Marshmallow or higher, such as all later Galaxy S and Edge models, starting from Galaxy S6 and Galaxy SS6 Edge. You can also use Galaxy A5, A7 and Note 5.

The next step is to use Samsung Flow to connect your mobile device and laptop over the Bluetooth. If you want to find out whether your laptop has TPM chip or not, you can should type tpm.msc in the RUN dialog box and hit the enter. If you have a TPM chip, the pop-up window should provide you with relevant information.

If you want to use the fingerprint sensor of your phone, you should open the Samsung Flow app on both your Windows 10 laptop and Galaxy device. It is also a good idea to enable Bluetooth and pair them both. The connection can also be configured with the Flow app. After the connection is properly configured, the next time you want to unlock the Windows 10 laptop, you need to open Samsung Flow app on your paired Galaxy device and tap the fingerprint sensor to verify your identity. Make sure that the Bluetooth connection for both devices is enabled. Also, you may need to enter Windows PIN, if you want to unlock Windows 10 after signing out or restarting. With Samsung Flow, you can also share files from your PC to the Galaxy device and vice versa.

6. Use Dynamic Lock

You can use certain Bluetooth capable devices to easily lock Windows 10 laptop. It requires the use of Dynamic Lock feature that comes with the Creators Update. You can’t unlock the laptop using Dynamic Lock and you need to use the Windows Hello to facilitate the unlocking part. You need to pair Windows 10 PC with Bluetooth capable devices (such as smartphones and tablets).

Go to “Start Menu > Settings-> Accounts-> Sign-in Options” and look for the Dynamic Lock checkbox and tick it. The feature will lock your Windows 10 PC automatically when the paired devices moves beyond the Bluetooth range. You should know that this feature doesn’t always work smoothly and its locking capability can be somewhat unpredictable, especially if there’s problem with the Bluetooth connectivity.