Microsoft is intensifying its efforts to eliminate password-based authentication by promoting passwordless sign-in and registration options.
For over a decade, users have been able to log in using biometrics like facial recognition, fingerprints, or PINs via Windows Hello. Today, more than 99% of users sign into their Windows devices this way, according to Microsoft.
To make signing into accounts safer and easier, the tech industry introduced passkeys—a phishing-resistant authentication method compatible with supported apps and websites. As adoption of these methods grows, attackers have increasingly focused on password-protected accounts. Microsoft reported detecting over 7,000 password-based attacks every second last year.
"As passkeys become the standard, cyberattacks will increasingly target accounts still using passwords or other vulnerable methods," Microsoft warned.
With passkey support now available on services like Xbox and Copilot, Microsoft is simplifying the user experience by prioritizing passwordless logins. New Microsoft accounts are set up with multiple passwordless options from the start, while existing users can now remove passwords entirely through their account settings.
The company is also implementing smart defaults—automatically selecting the most secure sign-in method available. For instance, if both a password and one-time code are linked to an account, users will be prompted to use the code. Once logged in, they’ll be encouraged to register a passkey for future logins.
According to Microsoft, these updates not only make sign-ins faster but also gradually phase out the need for passwords altogether.
“As passkey adoption increases, password use will continue to drop—leading us toward eventually eliminating password support entirely,” the company concluded.
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