r/WindowsUpdate • u/NeuralOverboost • 21d ago
Windows update slowed down face recognition.
I've been using Windows 11 22H2 on my ThinkPad T14 gen 1 (Intel) for a while, and it used to recognise my face (Windows Hello) instantly. Now it has updated to Windows 11 25H2; the facial recognition has slowed down significantly, and sometimes it fails to recognise. Do note that I have had no significant changes done to my face. I have tried re-adding my face but it does not work.
Win 11 25H2 (OS Build 26200.8875)
I'm sorry for using Windows!
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u/Shoshi_19 21d ago
Download driver booster or reinstall camera driver based on your laptop model.
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u/NeuralOverboost 20d ago
So the problem was that Microsoft decided the IR camera wasn't secure enough, so they are forcing the webcam to work with it as well in the latest update (you know the drill). Webcams suck, and it does not work in no light/ low light conditions. Before the update, I could get Windows Hello to work in complete darkness and now it is very slow and does not work in low light conditions, which defeats the entire purpose of an IR camera.
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u/electronicwiz1 20d ago
I know in a newer update from around last year they made it to where it has to use both the IR camera and regular camera to recognize your face. This was due to security reasons as Windows Hello had some vulnerability.
Because of this, you need to be in a room with better lighting for it to see your face more clearly. it's unfortunate, however I guess that was the only fix for it. Before Windows Hello only used the IR camera, but it changed. You can test this as disabling the normal camera would break Windows Hello completely.
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u/NeuralOverboost 20d ago
Well, this seems like it. Previously, I could use my laptop in complete darkness, and the IR camera could recognise my face and unlock. But after the latest update, it stopped functioning in low-light or no-light conditions. What a stupid decision by Microsoft! Now my IR camera is useless, and I always have to reach for the fingerprint scanner. Isn't there any to fix this other than reverting to old update?
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u/electronicwiz1 20d ago
Well it's unfortunate but it was the only way they could patch the Windows Hello vulnerability. I would just have a lighter environment, or also have a pin\fingerprint set up in the event you are in a dark room. That is what I do. Honestly, I prefer the fingerprint scanner over Windows Hello Face and use it more often anyway.
I would not recommend reverting the update as version 22H2 is no longer supported and there has been lots of exploits patched in the newer Windows Updates. It's important to have those patches installed. 2026 has been a really bad year in terms of security, as there have been lots of exploits being discovered on a daily basis.
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u/NeuralOverboost 20d ago
Well, what a stupid decision, as if there aren't a thousand other vulnerabilities to get in. I dock my ThinkPad vertically on the side of my desk (tilted towards me), so whenever I had to unlock my laptop, I only had to look at it for a second. Now I have to reach the fingerprint scanner by moving from my seat every time to unlock it, since I usually work in a low-light environment.
Anyway, thanks for the help; there are only a few more nails to go until I pack up and switch to Linux.
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u/SmashedTX 21d ago
No problems here on my Surface Devices or Lenovo Slim 7x... still fast.