How to Disable Windows Hello for Office 365 Account

• This article shows how to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account, which is a biometric authentication feature that can cause some issues if you want to switch accounts or devices.
• The article provides two methods to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account, using the Intune admin center or the Group Policy editor, with detailed steps and screenshots.

Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature that allows you to sign in to your device and apps using your face, fingerprint, or PIN. It can be a convenient and secure way to access your Office 365 account, but it can also cause some issues if you want to switch accounts or use a different device.

In this blog post, we will show you how to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account and prevent it from interfering with your sign-in process. We will also answer some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

What is the problem with Windows Hello and Office 365?

Windows Hello is designed to work with one account per device. If you have set up Windows Hello for your Office 365 account on a device, you may encounter some problems when you try to use a different account or device. For example:

• You may not be able to sign in to another Office 365 account on the same device, as Windows Hello will automatically recognize your face or fingerprint and sign you in to the account you have set up.
• You may not be able to sign in to your Office 365 account on a different device, as Windows Hello will prompt you to set up a PIN or biometric authentication for that device, which may not be possible or desirable.
• You may not be able to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account, as the option may be grayed out or unavailable in the settings.

These issues can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you need to switch accounts or devices frequently for work or personal reasons.

How to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account?

There are two ways to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account: using the Intune admin center or using the Group Policy editor. We will explain both methods below.

Solution 1: Using the Intune admin center

The Intune admin center is a web-based portal that allows you to manage your devices and apps that are enrolled in Microsoft Intune. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps you secure and manage your mobile devices, apps, and data.

To use this method, you need to have an Office 365 subscription that includes Intune device management, such as Microsoft 365 E3 or Microsoft 365 Business Premium. You also need to have administrator privileges for your Office 365 account.

Here are the steps to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account using the Intune admin center:

1. Go to Intune admin center and sign in with your Office 365 administrator credentials.
2. In the left pane, click on Devices > Enroll devices > Windows enrollment.
3. In the right pane, under Windows Hello for Business, click on Properties.
4. Under Configure Windows Hello for Business, select Not configured from the drop-down menu.
5. Click on Save.

This will disable Windows Hello for all devices that are enrolled in Intune under your Office 365 account. If you want to disable Windows Hello for specific devices only, you can create a custom device configuration profile and assign it to those devices. You can learn how to do that here.

Solution 2: Using the Group Policy editor

The Group Policy editor is a tool that allows you to configure various settings for your computer and user accounts. It is available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

To use this method, you need to have administrator privileges for your computer and access to the Group Policy editor.

Here are the steps to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account using the Group Policy editor:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
3. In the left pane, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon.
4. In the right pane, double-click on Turn on convenience PIN sign-in and select Disabled.
5. Click OK.
6. In the right pane, double-click on Turn on PIN sign-in and select Disabled.
7. Click OK.
8. Close the Group Policy editor.

This will disable Windows Hello for your current computer only. If you want to disable Windows Hello for other computers in your network, you can use a domain-based Group Policy object (GPO) and apply it to those computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to disabling Windows Hello for your Office 365 account:

Question: How do I enable Windows Hello for my Office 365 account?

Answer: To enable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account, you need to reverse the steps above. For example, if you used the Intune admin center method, you need to go back to the Intune admin center and select Enabled from the drop-down menu under Configure Windows Hello for Business. If you used the Group Policy editor method, you need to go back to the Group Policy editor and select Enabled or Not Configured from the options under Turn on convenience PIN sign-in and Turn on PIN sign-in.

Question: How do I remove Windows Hello data from my device?

Answer: To remove Windows Hello data from your device, such as your face or fingerprint scan, you need to go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello, click on the option you want to remove, such as Face or Fingerprint, and click on Remove. You may need to enter your PIN or password to confirm the removal.

Question: How do I change my Windows Hello PIN?

Answer: To change your Windows Hello PIN, you need to go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello PIN, click on Change. You may need to enter your current PIN or password to proceed. Then, enter a new PIN and confirm it.

Conclusion

We hope this blog article has helped you understand how to disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account and avoid any sign-in issues. Windows Hello is a useful feature that can enhance your security and convenience, but it can also cause some problems if you need to use multiple accounts or devices. By following the methods we have shown, you can easily disable Windows Hello for your Office 365 account and choose the sign-in option that suits your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not affiliated with Microsoft or Office 365 and do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from using or relying on this information. You should always consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on this blog post.