To do this, press, and then type gpedit.msc. Here is how according to Yubico (opens in new tab): If you are on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can modify the system to allow companion devices for Windows Hello. If you are unsure which version of Windows 10 you have only go to Settings > System > About and under Edition it should read as Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, or Windows 10 for Enterprise. If, however, you have Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise editions, you will need to edit the Local Security Policy to allow companion devices. Setting up on Windows 10 Pro or Enterpriseįor those with a Windows 10 Home license, the above steps are all that is required to get YubiKey working with Windows Hello. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

Download and run YubiKey for Windows Hello (opens in new tab) from the Store.

Setting up YubiKey is very easy once you have the physical device in your possession. A YubiKey is small enough to be carried around on a key chain making it easy to use with your home PC or laptop.

Once inserted into the PC the system is unlocked all the time.

By using YubiKey, you can cheaply add this to your PC while also using it with your other apps and services listed above. So, why bother? Most PCs today including laptops and desktops do not have a built-in Windows Hello system. fingerprint or face recognition adding a YubiKey to your PC lets you unlock and log into the computer just by inserting the physical device into the PC.

The free app lets you link your YubiKey to your PC (not Microsoft Account) as a companion security device. Recently, Yubico released a new app called YubiKey for Windows Hello in the Windows Store. That version goes on sale in February 2017 for $50 as well. With NFC users can also use the YubiKey NEO for Android mobile phones and presumably any other system with NFC.Īt CES 2017 Yubico announced YubiKey 4C (opens in new tab), which is a USB Type-C device to keep up with modern PCs and computers. They range in price from $40 for the regular USB versions to $50 for the USB and NFC variant. YubiKey NEO (USB and NFC) (opens in new tab).YubiKey 4 Nano (USB) (opens in new tab).There are three main types of YubiKeys (opens in new tab) on sale right now:

Yubi key