is it safe to disable simplepass from startup?

[paradive]

it only asks to swipe after a crash.

so if i were to disable it, does that mean i wouldn't be able to log in after a crash, or it would bypass it completely?

[Dragon-Fur]

Paradive,

Without having any idea whatsoever about what kind of HP SimplePass you are talking about, I can offer the following advice:

As long as you have a sound password in place, a password that you KNOW, and a password that you have tested and used

AND

You have proven that you have a means of logging into the computer that does not depend on the fingerprint scanner

AND

You have your data backed up in case the worst happens and you STILL Manage to lock yourself out of your computer AND you have your most critical data in a place other than ON that computer

THEN

you can remove, disable, cancel, or do whatever you like with SimplePass.  It is only a program and it can be disabled, Uninstalled just like any other program.

I might suggest that you FIRST back up / Export your Webcards first -- you do have to know all your passwords to your websites if you disable / remove SimplePass.

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[paradive]

what i'm working with: http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/E4S83AV?HP-ENVY-17t-j100-Sel...

i linked my account to my microsoft account, and am currently bypassing the login screen altogether.

basically, i want to be assured i won't be locked out after i have a crash.

that is, after a crash, if it's disabled, will it still prompt me to swipe, or boot up like normal?

[Dragon-Fur]

Commentary

Still applies -- If you have disabled the password login and that login method fails, you may be stuck.

How stuck depends on which Operating System you are running - how well you know the system, your skill set, how close you are to help.

You need a viable login method that does not fail or an alternate system on which you can count when one method fails.

This does not mean you must use the fingerprint scanner -- it means you must have a reliable means of getting into the computer and that you do not outsmart yourself if the method you use fails.  Bypassing the password and switching off the scanner and not having another account available with a password that you can use in an emergency might be tempting fate.  If you know how get into the system on the cmd line, create an account using cmd line, set the account type, then log into the system, fix the login setup, you are OK.

I am not trying to be rude -- I am being realistic.  We have seen it.  Folks do not want to type in a password, do not want to use the scanner, do not want to use a picture password -- they want it to be easy -- and Poof!  It falls apart and the system locks up.

The easier solution might be to create an extra admin privleged account, a local account, that you do not use -- keep it around with a nice password that you keep in a secure place -- and then do whatever you want with your current account.  Disable the SimplePass, remove it, don't use a password -- whatever.  Just do not leave yourself in a situation where you do not know enough to save yourself if it breaks. 

It is not going to break at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday.  It is going to break in the middle of the night when everything else has already gone wrong that day and your stock market is in the toilet.

Create a User Account with Administrative Privileges – Windows 8-8.1

Backups are nice to have, too.

Remember - there are only two kinds of people in the world:

• People who have lost their data
• People who will lose their data

You are one of these kinds of people -- make sure that when it happens to you that you have your backups!

Backing Up Your Files (Windows 😎

Put the important stuff on a USB stick -- and keep it close.  Don't leave critical data where you cannot get to it if the computer dies. 

Use OneDrive if you cannot stand to make backups.  Do "something".

Click the Kudos Thumbs-Up to show you appreciate the help and time from our Experts.

Although I strive to reflect HP's best practices, I do not work for HP. 

Click Accept as Solution when the Answer is a good Fix or Workaround!

[paradive]

so, it's pretty much.... "no. don't disable it, unless you want nightmares."

ok.

that's what i was asking.

[Dragon-Fur]

Not at all.

Just protect yourself.

Create a back door.  Have a way to log in -- set up the extra local account account with admin privilege.    Test it.

Create your Restore Point.

Then, disable the Windows 8 Native Logon.  Make sure you can log in and that life as you know it continues.   If you don't like the result -- enable the SimplePass login the way you had it.

Windows 8.1 provides the Native fingerprint scanner logon as a separate feature to the SimplePass controls for website password / logins.  Use PC Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options as a means to switch off the logon.  This may also remove the SimplePass controls as it does switch off the Biometrics.

Or, as you say -- leave it all as it is and be happy.

Life is good as long as you take care of yourself. 

Reference - your computer's Support website:

HP ENVY 17t-j100 Select Edition CTO Notebook PC Drivers

Reference - Dragon Document:

Instructions to Update HP SimplePass

Click the Kudos Thumbs-Up to show you appreciate the help and time from our Experts.

Although I strive to reflect HP's best practices, I do not work for HP. 

Click Accept as Solution when the Answer is a good Fix or Workaround!