BitWarden doesn't automatically ask for Windows Hello on app start (when setting is enabled.)

[jboutin]

Steps To Reproduce

1. Open BitWarden > File > Settings >
2. Check to enable "Unlock With Windows Hello", as well as "Ask for Windows Hello on app start."
3. Close Settings, and Exit BitWarden (File > Quit BitWarden)
4. Re-open BitWarden, and verify it no longer automatically asks for Windows Hello. You can manually click "Unlock with Windows Hello" and it'll then ask for your pin/biometrics... but it no longer automatically asks.

Expected Result

Prior to updating to 2023.8.2, when you had "Ask for Windows Hello on app start." enabled, when you restarted your computer, or reopened BitWarden, it would automatically prompt you for your Windows Hello.

Actual Result

Enabling the setting doesn't appear to do anything.

Screenshots or Videos

Additional Context

Version Info:

• Version: 2023.8.2
• Shell: 24.1.1
• Renderer: 112.0.5615.50
• Node: 18.14.0

Operating System

Windows

Operating System Version

Windows 10 22H2

Installation method

Direct Download (from bitwarden.com)

Build Version

2023.8.2

Issue Tracking Info

• I understand that work is tracked outside of Github. A PR will be linked to this issue should one be opened to address it, but Bitwarden doesn't use fields like "assigned", "milestone", or "project" to track progress.

[bundyland]

Same problem here since latest update.
I'm on WIN11 Pro 22H2.

[charlene-johnson]

I am getting that same issue. I did not know that the app recently updated, but this has been happening to me the past few days.

[ajaybhargav]

Same issue. Unless Bitwarden app is restarted, I am not even able to unlock firefox extension via Windows Hello. Not sure if you guys face the same issue. Debug console shows desktop app and extension is communicating and exchanging messages though.

[sammbw]

Hi there,

Thank you for your report!

I was able to reproduce this issue, and I have flagged this to our engineering team.

If you wish to add any further information/screenshots/recordings etc., please feel free to do so at any time - our engineering team will be happy to review these.

Thanks once again!

[stefanwascoding]

Same issue on macOS with "Ask for Touch ID on launch".

[vrosu]

Additional info in case it matters.
I'm on 2023.8.3 and this happens for me as well.
One of the things I tried was to disable the setting, restart the app, then enable it back again, then restart the app, but it did not solve it.
I'm on Windows 11 23H2, 22631.2271 (beta ring).

[Nicojii]

Happened to me also. Still happens with newest version 2023.8.3.

[bundyland]

Problem still remains with version 2023.8.4.

[Zumux]

Happened to me too. Hope this gets fixed soon.

[vrosu]

Problem remains on 2023.9.0

[vrosu]

Aaaand 2023.9.1

[jboutin]

Bumping because this is STILL broken.

[bundyland]

Problem remains on 2023.9.3

[ComotoJC]

Windows Hello & therefore also "biometrics" for browser plugin have been totally broken for a while. This is not fixed.

[jboutin]

This still is broken Version 2023.10.1

[JuicyFran0]

I can confirm this issue is still happening, not in the desktop app but with the browser plugin.

[Nicojii]

I can confirm this issue is still happening, not in the desktop app but with the browser plugin.

Still on desktop as well :(

[gaiking-uk]

BitWarden Update [Unofficial]

I asked BitWarden Support is there was any update on this issue, and they said...

• This issue along its counterpart on MacOS system is currently under engineering review
• Unfortunately we do not have a release date [at the moment]
• However, the priority of the bug is high

-- BitWarden Support, 13 Nov 2023

[vladcudoidem]

I still have this problem on macOS.

[dMailonG]

2023.10.2 extension still broken.

[ali-agh]

I am facing the same problem.

[gaiking-uk]

Workaround (kinda)

When I emailed BitWarden Support for an update on this last month, I even pointed out how potentially trivial the fix for this is -- as in essence BitWarden just needs to automatically click the Unlock with Windows Hello button when it opens. So, as we're now entering month 4 without a fix I made a crude workaround to do just that...

Feel free to use BitWarden.exe. It is a compiled AutoHotKey script that...

• Launches C:\Program Files\Bitwarden\Bitwarden.exe
• Waits 3 seconds
• Sends the keystrokes {Tab}{Tab}{Enter} (which tabs to the Unlock with Windows Hello button and activates it)

Run, "C:\Program Files\Bitwarden\Bitwarden.exe"
Sleep 3000
Send {Tab}{Tab}{Enter}

---

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is admittedly a bit of a crude hack but just wanted to share it in case anyone else was getting similarly fed-up of this and wanted an interim fix. Also, note that this file will be flagged by various engines on virustotal.com (11 at time), do not feel under any pressure to use if you feel un-easy -- I considered setting up a repo but (a) is a quick/dirty hack, and (b) am not sure how to give compile instructions other than just running the above code through the AHK2EXE compiler TBH.

[jlf0dev]

This should be fixed by #6400. Thank you everyone for your patience!

[Lozian3D]

I do not believe this has been fixed. I have version 2023.12.1 running on Windows 11 23H2 and still with all the correct settings, it does not prompt for Windows hello on start.

[Nicojii]

I do not believe this has been fixed. I have version 2023.12.1 running on Windows 11 23H2 and still with all the correct settings, it does not prompt for Windows hello on start.

"This fix has passed our QA process and will be included in the 2024.1 release."

#6400 (comment)

[nrgbistro]

Using version 2024.1 on windows 11 (fresh installation for both windows and bitwarden), I am still experiencing this issue. I can successfully enable windows hello integration in the desktop app and I can also log in with the Chrome extension. However, when I restart the bitwarden desktop app (or my laptop), the windows hello integration breaks. The Chrome extension can't display the hello unlock prompt, and the desktop client doesn't create the prompt or even show the 'unlock with windows hello' button. I'm using self-hosted vaultwarden, but I don't see how that would affect client integration with windows hello.

[gaiking-uk]

Version	2024.1.0
Result	✅ Fixed potentially (see notes)
Environment	Windows 11 23H2
Notes	Building on @nrgbistro's post -- I only use Windows Hello to login to the desktop app (my BitWarden browser extension logs in with a PIN), however so far it seems to be working - I have restarted BitWarden.exe multiple times and it has auto-prompted for Windows Hello login each time as expected. I will post an update if further testing throws up any issues.

[nrgbistro]

After reinstalling Bitwarden on Windows and disabling then enabling login with windows hello, the integration from the browser to the desktop application seems to be stable. I'll edit this comment if I notice any issues in the future.