Biometrics in Windows 7

[Santy]

I am windows 7 user. I heard much about a word 'Biometrics'. Whats is it actually and what is the use of that ?

Well as you all know Windows 7 comes with much advanced feature, even i can use the useful features of it. So please let me know about the Biometrics...

[MrChris-]

Biometrics is an increasingly popular technology that provides convenient access to systems, services, and resources. Biometrics relies on measuring an unchanging physical characteristic of a person to uniquely identify that person. Fingerprints are one of the most frequently used biometric characteristics, with millions of fingerprint biometric devices that are embedded in personal computers and peripherals.
In Windows® 7, the Windows Biometric Framework (WBF) provides support for fingerprint biometric devices through a new set of components. These components improve the quality, reliability, and consistency of the user experience for customers who have fingerprint biometric devices.

In Windows versions earlier than Windows 7, every fingerprint biometric device vendor was required to provide its own technology stack, including drivers, software development kits (SDKs), and applications. The result was a range of proprietary solutions that lacked a consistent user experience and a common management platform.

The absence of a common programming interface led to incompatibility between application software and fingerprint biometric devices, as well as inconsistency in the quality and reliability of drivers and packages. Also, the differing nature of application stacks and driver models for biometrics devices complicated servicing and maintaining these proprietary solutions.

In Windows 7, the Windows operating system provides native support for fingerprint biometric devices through WBF. This framework provides support for biometric technologies, including the following:

• An improvement in the quality and reliability of fingerprint biometric drivers and management applications.
• A more consistent user experience.
• A common platform and a set of interfaces for software developers.
• Improved manageability and serviceability of fingerprint biometric devices in Windows.

In addition, WBF provides software developers with a common development platform and set of APIs, and gives users a more consistent biometric experience across the operating system. Although it is still possible to use legacy approaches, WBF is the preferred and supported way to access fingerprint biometric devices in Windows 7.

[Calvin K]

To turn on or off Biometric Devices in Windows 7 follow these simple steps:

1. Open Start menu and click on the Control Panel button

2. In the Control Panel (All items view) window double click the Biometric Devices icon

3. In the Biometric Devices window click on the link Change biometric settings in the left pane

4. To turn on Biometric Devices click the dot Biometrics on

Here you can check the option Allow users to log on to Windows using fingerprints as per your convenience.

And to Turn Off Biometric Devices click the dot Biometrics off

5. Click on Save Changes button

6. Close Biometric Devices and Control Panel window

[Lillebror]

Microsoft recommend that vendors distribute their WBF components, drivers, and FMAs through Windows Update. This improves the serviceability and maintainability of these components in Windows 7.