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How to remove fingerprint .DAT file from WinBIODatabase

BobK 20 Reputation points
2025-09-19T12:25:44.3066667+00:00

Numerous articles on the web say that the way to reset Windows Hello is to stop the Biometric service, remove the .DAT files from the WinBIOdatabase, restart the service and set up fingerprints afresh. This isn't working for me as each time I restart the service the old fingerprint .DAT file returns. Ideas anyone?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
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Gunasekar N 68,125 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-09-19T15:29:10.9833333+00:00

Hi, if you are still having issues, try this.

  1. Go to Start> Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello PIN.
  2. Click Remove PIN and add a new PIN again.
  3. Restart your computer and see if you can set up Windows Hello FingerPrint again.

Another option is to try reinstalling the FingerPrint Drivers again.

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the arrow next to Biometrics.
  3. Right-click your FingerPrint driver, select Uninstall device, select the Attempt to remove the driver for this device check box, and then select Uninstall.
  4. Once uninstalled, restart your PC.

The third option is to clear TPM 2.0 from the BIOS utility screen.

  1. Boot your PC into the BIOS Utility screen.
  2. In the Security or Advanced tab, find TPM 2.0 Security or Intel PTT (or similar terms), select Clear TPM, and click OK.
  3. Save the configuration changes made and restart your computer.
  4. Sign in with your PIN and setup FingerPrint again.

Let me know if it helps.

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  1. Gunasekar N 68,125 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-19T13:53:49.5966667+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    Please note that, if you delete the Windows Hello Fingerprint .DAT file from the WinDatabase folder, Windows will automatically recreate the file when the Biometric service restarts (this is by default). However, your previous fingerprint data (records) will be removed, allowing you to set up a new Fingerprint again.

    If you encounter any errors while setting up Windows Hello Fingerprint again, please let me know. In the meantime, make sure you have followed the steps below.

    1. Press Windows + R keys , type services.msc and press Enter.
    2. Find Windows Biometrics Service in the list, right-click and stop the service.

    Image

    Next, navigate to the following location on your C: drive -

    This PC > Local Disk ) C:) > Windows > System32 > WinBioDatabase

    Image

    (This is where your fingerprint data is stored)

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    Inside the folder, you will find several .DAT files.

    1. Right-click the first .DAT file > Open with > Notepad. (To delete the entire file, press Ctrl + A to select everything, then click Delete.)

    Now click File > Save As > Save File to Desktop. (Be sure to select "Save file type as - All Files" from the drop-down menu.

    Image A notepad file with empty data and the same name will appear on your desktop.

    • Do the same for all files inside the folder.

    Now go to your desktop folder >> You will have deleted Notepad content files with the same name >> Just cut those files from desktop and go to the same location and paste them.

    Go to This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Windows > System32 > WinBioDatabase, right click and paste.

    Select "Replace files in the destination".

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    Image

    After replacing the fingerprint, go to the Services window, right-click the Windows Biometrics service, and select "Start Service." Now set up your fingerprint again in the sign-in options.

    I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll be happy to help you.

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