Verifi P2000 Desktop USB Fingerprint Reader - Windows Hello, Windows Password Free Operation

Having spent way too much time researching these devices prior to purchase my hope is this will save you some heartburn and time if your goals are like mine. Simply put, it does what I wanted it to do which was be able to login to Lastpass with my fingerprint. This was my number one goal but having the ability to login to my windows machine is also a nice bonus and will allow me to set a stronger password if I desire.In performing the research there were many conflicting reviews. Not only for this device but others as well. Works with windows 10, does not work, works with Lastpass, does not work, needs drivers, does not need drivers, bla, bla, bla. My thought on this was that nobody listed what exact version of Windows they were running and the only way to see if it worked was to bite the bullet. So, I did and I’m glad I chose this one. Yes, it is more expensive, but I liked the idea of having the device sit on my desktop instead of needing to reach for a USB port to find a “dongle”. That in and of itself was worth a little more to me and obviously it need to work.If you have the above goals you can stop reading now but if you want specifics continue on. My version of windows is 1709 (aka Windows Fall Creators Update). I did NOT install anything from the “mini CD” that was included in the box. Simply plugged it in and watched the device get setup. Once that was complete it was listed under device manger in the category “Biometric devices” and specifically called an “Authen Tec Inc. AES2550”. I then navigated to Windows Settings >> Accounts >> Sign-in options >> Setup Fingerprint. It should be noted that prior to installing the reader my computer reported that my device was not compatible with Windows Hello and afterwards this was no longer the case. Even though I do have a Logitech Web Cam apparently due to it’s age it was not supported by Hello. Anyway, I went through the wizard to register a finger print and Windows told me I needed to create a PIN. I find that ridiculous considering most people think of a “pin” as a 4-digit number and this seemed like a step backward in security. Not so fast Kowalski … Just click the box that says allow alphanumeric characters and you can enter anything you like. Since I was perfectly content with my already established password, I simply used that. Bingo, ready to roll. CTL-ALT-Delete >> Lock >> swipe finger >> UNLOCK. Perfect!As for Lastpass it wasn’t quite as simple but not difficult at all. Open your vault >> Account Settings >> Multifactor Options. In the Multifactor Authentication – Premium section (YES YOU NEED TO BE A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER) there is an icon that looks like a fingerprint. It will be disabled. Click on the “pen” icon to set it up. In my case it said something about needing to install a binary component and to “click here”. I did this, and it told me that I needed to close my browser for the changes to take effect. Since I was using Chrome and in my experience sometimes Chrome likes to run in the background I simply re-booted. This was also a good test to see how my shiny new finger print reader worked to login. Answer. Flawlessly. Anyway, I digress. I went back to the same section in Lastpass and to my dismay it was still disabled. I clicked the pen again, clicked “here” to enable and this time it downloaded the desktop application. I ran the installer and repeated the same steps. Now when I went back in to the fingerprint setting I could successfully enable the service. It asked me to enter my Master Password and swipe my finger. After that I was good to go. I logged out of Lastpass, opened Chrome, clicked on the grey Lastpass Icon, it asked me to swipe my finger and I was in. I will now change my master password to something crazy and not need to remember it. Of course, I will write it down and store it in a safe place just in case. If you use Lastpass on a mobile device, you may not want a crazy password but my phone also has a fingerprint reader (as do most newer phones and tablets) so I am in luck. I’m not going to get into the mobile setup here but know that you can set it up to login with a fingerprint.As for what you get in the “box” don’t expect much. It is a plain cardboard box with the reader and a mini CD. Nothing else. No instructions or anything but hopefully you won’t need any if you follow the steps above.All in all I am pleased with this purchase and can recommend it if your system is running Windows 10 1709. It may or may not work with prior versions, so your mileage may vary. Good luck!

I had trouble deciding 4 or 5 stars. It chose 5 stars since this was super easy to install on my Win11 Pro laptop, connected perfectly with Fingerprint Sign in, and does what it should. It needed no attention. I didn't have to install any drivers. I just plugged it in and Windows recognized it and I was good to go.However, it took me quite a while to learn how I need to place my finger on it for access. I am used to a reader that let's me place my finger on the detector; this one requires that I slide my fingertip across it with just the right angle. If I slide just right, and not to fast, it opens Windows immediately. If I slide quickly, it opens but delays a bit so that I am not sure it "got it." As time goes on I get better and better with it, so 5 stars it is.Be sure to carefully read the instruction booklet on the proper technique for swiping.

Using it in Windows 7 64bit. I keep my home workstation locked when not in use - I don't want anyone using my PC except me. I have lots of computers in the house for everyone else. However, it is a pain in the arse to have to log into my PC all the time.I decided I wanted a fingerprint scanner, and I did a lot of research to find a good reliable one. I have bad memories of that first, cheap plastic Microsoft fingerprint reader from several years back.Ended up ordering the Verifi P2000 Premium from Amazon.I just installed it tonight, but I have locked my computer a dozen times or more as a test, and the reader has never failed to unlock. Just for giggles I tried fingers that I haven't authenticated yet (you can authenticate as many of your fingers as you want - thumbs included) and none of them worked except the ones I authenticated.The unit is made of medal and VERY sturdy and heavy, plus it has rubber feet so there's little opportunity for it to slide around.I realize this is not as secure as a password - fingerprint readers CAN be fooled - but I'm not worried about the NSA or a Russian hacker getting into my house. I just want to prevent casual use of my PC, without the hassle of constantly typing my long password.Some of the earlier units (according to the reviews) didn't come with any software, but mine did, and with better instructions than the earlier ones. Installation was simple: install the software, install the driver (I opted not to install the trial version of Roboform) and plug the unit into a USB port. Then go to the Windows Control Panel, click on or use the search box to find the "Biometric Devices" icon that is now available in the full Control Panel, then click "Manage your fingerprint data". You are then prompted to scan each finger you want to use 3 times to register it. Very simple.Gave it 4 stars because it should have included visual instructions for the technically challenged (there IS a PDF quick start guide on the CD, but I didn't even know it was there - a printed sheet would have been better). +Also would be nice if the USB cord was not so heavy. I should think a thinner cord would work just as well, and would make it easier to keep the unit oriented the way you want it.But overall, I can highly recommend it. I'll update this if I have any problems in the future.

Accustomed to fingerprint reader buttons where you just press a finger to read. This device has a narrow slit that you pull the end of your finger across. Must pull across in the right direction. Must pull at the right angle. Must pull at the right speed. Must pull with correct, consistent pressure. For me, this is much more difficult than it sounds. Just when I think I'm doing it just right, I can't open my PC. For me, this is an expensive, unreliable toy. Would not recommend.

Easy set up. Important to install the driver BEFORE you plug it into your computer. Once that's done, for Windows, go to settings and search for "Windows Hello". It's a quick add on. You will be prompted to slide the finger of your choice over the sensor 3 times. And you are done. Easy as pie. Now that all of our personal information has been stolen by Washington, DC I feel a tiny bit safer now.