---
title: Authenticating using a YubiKey (Windows login)
description: Use your YubiKey hardware token to authenticate to sign on to your Windows machine.
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_ug_auth_using_a_yubikey_wl
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_ug_auth_using_a_yubikey_wl.html
revdate: June 3, 2024
section_ids:
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  result-3: Result
---

# Authenticating using a YubiKey (Windows login)

Use your YubiKey hardware token to authenticate to sign on to your Windows machine.

## Steps

1. Sign on to your Windows machine.

   ### Result:

   The **YubiKey Authentication** window appears, prompting you to enter a YubiKey passcode.

   ![A screen capture of the YubiKey Authentication window, prompting you to use your YubiKey to authenticate.](_images/nkp1564021147499.png)

2. Insert the YubiKey into your computer USB port and press the YubiKey button.

   |   |                                                                                                                       |
   | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | Make sure the **YubiKey Authentication** window is selected as the active window before you press the YubiKey button. |

   ### Result:

   A one-time passcode (OTP) *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
   \<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
   \</div>)* is automatically generated and inserted into the **YubiKey Authentication** window.

3. Click **Sign On**.

## Result

The green **Authenticated** message appears with a check mark, indicating authentication is successful. You are signed on to your Windows machine.

![A screen capture of the Windows home desktop page.](_images/zoq1564021183904.png)