Uninstalling a fingerprint driver in Windows 10 can be done in a few ways, depending on your needs and the specific driver involved. This process is usually necessary to troubleshoot fingerprint reader issues or to completely remove the fingerprint functionality from your system.
Method 1: Removing Fingerprint via Windows Hello Settings
This method removes your enrolled fingerprints but doesn't uninstall the driver itself. It's useful if you want to stop using the fingerprint reader without completely removing the software.
- Open Settings: Go to your Windows settings (usually by clicking the Start button and then the gear icon).
- Navigate to Accounts: Click on "Accounts".
- Access Sign-in options: Select "Sign-in options" from the left-hand menu.
- Find Windows Hello Fingerprint: Locate the "Windows Hello Fingerprint" section.
- Remove Fingerprint: Click "Remove" under Fingerprint to delete your saved fingerprint data.
Method 2: Uninstalling the Fingerprint Driver via Device Manager
This method completely removes the fingerprint driver from your system. You'll need to reinstall it later if you want to use the fingerprint reader again. The specific steps might vary slightly depending on your fingerprint reader's manufacturer (e.g., Synaptics, Elan).
- Open Device Manager: Search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Expand Biometric Devices: Locate and expand the "Biometric devices" section.
- Locate Fingerprint Driver: Identify your fingerprint reader (it might be named something like "Synaptics Fingerprint Sensor" or similar).
- Uninstall Driver: Right-click on the device and select "Uninstall device".
- Confirm Uninstall: Confirm the uninstallation when prompted. Consider checking the box to "Delete the driver software for this device" for a complete removal.
- Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Windows will usually automatically reinstall the driver upon restarting, but in some cases, you may need to manually download and install a new driver from your device manufacturer's website.
Method 3: Disabling the Fingerprint Reader (Alternative)
A simpler alternative to completely uninstalling is to disable the fingerprint reader. This keeps the driver installed but prevents the system from using it. This can be useful for temporary disabling or if you are unsure of the consequence of uninstalling. The exact location of this setting may vary depending on your system.
It's crucial to note: If you encounter issues after uninstalling the driver, you may need to download and reinstall the correct driver from your computer manufacturer's support website.
