Google Chrome's built-in Password Manager has recently enhanced its security measures by adding biometric authentication support on both PCs and Macs. Now, before your saved passwords are automatically filled, Chrome can ask you to verify your identity using methods like fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or a Windows Hello PIN.

While this feature adds an extra layer of protection—especially beneficial for shared computers—it may become inconvenient if you're the sole user and frequently log into multiple websites daily. Constant prompts for authentication can disrupt your browsing experience. If you prefer a smoother login process without these extra verification steps, you can disable Windows Hello for password autofill in Chrome. This guide provides detailed steps on how to do that.

Disable Windows Hello for password autofill in Google Chrome

Step 1: Open Google Chrome on your computer. Click on the three-dot icon located at the upper-right corner of the browser window to access the Chrome menu. From the dropdown, select Settings.

Step 2: In the Settings menu, look at the left sidebar and click on Autofill and passwords. On the right side, find and select the Google Password Manager option. This will open the Password Manager page where you can manage your saved passwords and related settings.

Step 3: On the Password Manager page, you'll see different tabs. Click on the Settings tab located on the left side. This will display various options related to how Chrome manages your passwords.

Step 4: In the Settings section, find the option labeled Use Windows Hello when filling passwords. By default, this toggle is turned on. Click on the toggle button to turn it off. This action will disable the requirement for Windows Hello authentication when autofilling passwords.

Step 5: After clicking the toggle, a Windows Hello prompt will appear to confirm your identity. Enter your Windows PIN or use your biometric authentication method (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) to proceed. This step ensures that only authorized users can change this security setting.

Step 6: Once you've authenticated, the prompt will close, and the toggle will switch to the off position. To ensure that the changes take effect, it's a good idea to restart your browser. Close all Chrome windows and reopen the browser.

After completing these steps, Chrome will no longer require Windows Hello verification when automatically filling in your saved passwords. This should streamline your browsing experience if you prefer not to have the extra authentication step every time.

It's important to note that while this disables Windows Hello for password autofill, Chrome will still prompt you for authentication when you attempt to view or edit your saved passwords in the Password Manager. This is a built-in security feature designed to protect your sensitive information from unauthorized access, and it cannot be turned off for your safety.

Enhancing autofill security without Windows Hello

If you still want an additional layer of security but find Windows Hello prompts too frequent, you can adjust another setting in Chrome to balance convenience with protection.

Step 1: In the Password Manager Settings, locate the option labeled Sign in automatically. By default, this option may be enabled. Turning it off will make Chrome ask for your password the first time you use autofill after launching the browser, but it won't prompt you again during that session.

By disabling Sign in automatically, you ensure that your passwords are protected when you first open Chrome, but you're not repeatedly interrupted during your browsing session. For this to be effective, remember to close Chrome completely when you're finished, so that the password prompt appears again next time.

With these adjustments, you can customize Google Chrome's password autofill feature to suit your preferences, balancing convenience and security according to your needs.