Home > Consumer Reviews > Microsoft Fingerprint Reader

The Microsoft Fingerprint reader is superb! It is precisely what someone like me needs badly (using the PC all the time, sitting in front of it most of the day every day, slightly varying passwords to numerous sites). With that said, I do not recommend this to someone who uses their PC on occasions, or simply does not have to put up with multiple passwords.

This device is very accurate. Scanning and registering my fingerprints was very quick and easy. I did not have trouble the first time at all, which surprised me due to a couple of complaints about mis-accuracy in the scanning; however, this is not true--scanning is incredibly simple. It's small, sleek, and it matches and compliments my desktop. It is very much compatible with numerous programs (Netscape Mail & Newsgroups, Internet Explorer, obviously, Netscape browser, G-Mail Notifier, and many online games such as C&C Generals, LOTR: Battle for Middle-earth, et cetera) and almost every site with log-in screens.

Simply put, this device is perfect. It is highly compatible, no technical problems, no complicated installation, and it's very easy to clean (simply stick a piece of Scotch-tape on the optical sensor and gently pull it off, only on occasion). Again, I highly recommend this to people have many and great uses for their PCs, along with wanting a complimentary addition to their desktops.

I've been after one of these for months as you all know in todays world we have so many usernames and passwords to remember. Most people have system or use the same passwords but then you get to a site that wont except you normal combination ! Well this little device has worked every time for me. Easy installation, one reboot and you are ready to go. Use it to logon to windows (not domain though) and then open up internet explorer and start registering sites. The other major disappointment with this reader is that it doesnt work out of the box with firefox, which is bad as this is what I use most of the time but..... the good news is that there is an extension (plugin) for firefox that lets you use it, its by no means full proof but its a step in the right direction.

http://redoneill.free.fr/fingerfox/index_en.php

Pros:
- The hardware itself is very slick. It is actually much slimmer and more stylish than in the pictures you see on the internet.
- Fingerprint registration is straightforward and seemless.
- Logging into websites is very very easy once setup.

Cons:
-Only works with IE
-WILL NOT work with active directory
-DigitalPersona Password Manager (included) is complete garbage. Almost a complete scam IMHO
-Digital Persona has awesome biotmetric software that is more expensive than the average PC.

This product is shipped to you with basically no software whatsoever. It can fill in usernames and passwords very very well on websites but that's about it.

You are NOT able to log into Windows XP, you are NOT able unlock your PC. You are NOT able to do pretty much anything except log into websites. Most of which support cookies and remember you anyway.

Without any real software the Microsoft Fingerprint Reader is a very expensive and very useless toy.

The good news is that you can purchase the software from Digital Persona, the company that actually produces the MFR.

The bad news is that the software costs more than the device, more than Windows XP, and quite possibly more than your PC.

Borderline scam if IMHO.

I bought 2 of the Microsoft Fingerprint Readers & have not been disappointed. I use one on my laptop running Vista & the other on my desktop using XP. Set up was easy & straight forward. The only minor problem was that the readers were both slow to recognize my fingerprints early on - almost as if it was still learning my prints - but after 2 days of using it to log on to both Windows & websites & secured programs - they finally settled down. Now both work quickly & accurately. I really like the Quick Links feature that opens the browser to a website & logs you on. Very nice. I can highly recommend this product.

if you use mozilla firefox as your browser, you're going to have to download an extension. it only works with internet explorer and windows applications.
but other than that, it works like a charm.