- New Microsoft accounts will now be “password-free by default.” When setting up new accounts, users are asked to create a passkey rather than opting for a conventional password.
- Passkeys can be configured using device biometrics on your Windows computer or via the Microsoft Authenticator application, which makes it more difficult for malicious individuals to obtain passwords and access accounts.
- Microsoft has announced that World Password Day will now be known as “World Passkey Day” with the aim of promoting awareness about passkeys for enhancing account security.
Microsoft
has been pushing its
passwordless Windows logins
For the last few years, even giving users the option to remove their passwords from their accounts once they have added passkeys. Acknowledging this change,
World Password Day
, Microsoft has assumed its
following significant advancement in account security
and protection.
In a recent
blog post
, Microsoft declared that new accounts will come with “passwords disabled by default.” This means users will be asked to use alternative authentication methods instead.
set up a passkey
For their new account instead of a password. This implies that new Microsoft accounts won’t require a password at all, should the user prefer not to set one.
Microsoft announced that newly created accounts will come with “no passwords as the standard setting.” Users will gain access through multiple password-free methods when logging in, eliminating the requirement for a traditional password altogether. For those who already use Microsoft services, deleting their current password is an option available via their account settings page.
What’s a passkey?
You can utilize biometric authentication to log into your account instead of using a password.
Passkeys make it more difficult for malicious individuals to obtain your account’s password since the password does not actually exist to be stolen. Instead of relying on traditional passwords, passkeys allow users to access their Microsoft account with biometric data like facial recognition, fingerprints, or a PIN through their own devices. This feature was rolled out for all consumer Microsoft accounts last year.
To configure a passkey for your Microsoft account, visit
Account Settings > Security > Register an additional method for signing in or verification
. You can also download the document
Microsoft Autheticator app
On your mobile device, you can configure a passkey and enable push notifications for signing into your Microsoft account without using a password.
“Even though passwords have been with us for ages, we’re hoping they will soon lose their dominance in our digital realm,” stated Microsoft, announcing World Password Day as “World Passkey Day.” Although complete eradication of passwords might take some time, this marks a significant step from a technology corporation aiming to phase out passwords entirely. Frankly speaking, your password cannot be compromised if it does not actually exist.
If you’re interested in understanding password security and the most effective methods to protect your devices and online accounts, explore all of
Vmeetsolutions News’s Global Password Week coverage
.