---
title: How Windows Hello for Business works
description: Explains registration, authentication, key material, and infrastructure for Windows Hello for Business.
ms.prod: w10
ms.mktglfcycl: deploy
ms.sitesec: library
ms.pagetype: security
audience: ITPro
author: mapalko
ms.author: mapalko
manager: dansimp
ms.collection: M365-identity-device-management
ms.topic: article
localizationpriority: medium
ms.date: 05/05/2018
ms.reviewer: 
---
# How Windows Hello for Business works

**Applies to**
-   Windows 10

Windows Hello for Business is a modern, two-factor credential that is the more secure alternative to passwords.  Whether you are cloud or on-premises, Windows Hello for Business has a deployment option for you.  For cloud deployments, you can use Windows Hello for Business with Azure Active Directory joined, Hybrid Azure Active Directory joined, or Azure Active Directory registered devices.  Windows Hello for Business also works for domain joined devices. 

Watch this quick video where Pieter Wigleven gives a simple explanation of how Windows Hello for Business works and some of its supporting features.
> [!VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/embed/G-GJuDWbBE8]

## Technical Deep Dive
Windows Hello for Business is a distributed system that uses several components to accomplish device registration, provisioning, and authentication. Use this section to gain a better understanding of each of the components and how they support Windows Hello for Business.

- [Technology and Terminology](hello-how-it-works-technology.md)
- [Device Registration](hello-how-it-works-device-registration.md)
- [Provisioning](hello-how-it-works-provisioning.md)
- [Authentication](hello-how-it-works-authentication.md)

## Related topics

- [Windows Hello for Business](hello-identity-verification.md)
- [Manage Windows Hello for Business in your organization](hello-manage-in-organization.md)
- [Why a PIN is better than a password](hello-why-pin-is-better-than-password.md)
- [Prepare people to use Windows Hello](hello-prepare-people-to-use.md)
- [Windows Hello and password changes](hello-and-password-changes.md)
- [Windows Hello errors during PIN creation](hello-errors-during-pin-creation.md)
- [Event ID 300 - Windows Hello successfully created](hello-event-300.md)
- [Windows Hello biometrics in the enterprise](hello-biometrics-in-enterprise.md)