Microsoft is improving Windows Hello passkey support to strengthen the security of signing in to websites and apps using biometric authentication.
See also: Windows Hello is used by 84% of Windows 10 users
Passkeys are unique access keys that correspond to specific devices, such as computers, tablets or smartphones. Using passkeys significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, as they provide protection against phishing. This prevents the interception of access keys and unauthorized access to data.
Passkeys are a more secure and convenient option than passwords, as they allow the use of personal identification numbers (PINs) or biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to log in to websites and apps. This means you no longer have to remember and manage multiple passwords, improving your overall security and user experience.
Microsoft announced that Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 released to the Dev Channel includes improvements to customer sign-in. These improvements allow users to sign in to their accounts using either passwords or Windows Hello, without the need for a password.
“ We’re improving the password experience for Windows users. They can now go to any app or website that supports passwords to create and sign in using passkeys with the native Windows Hello experience ,” said Microsoft’s Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc
“Once a password is created, users can use Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, PIN) to sign in. Additionally, users can use their phone to complete the sign-in process in the app.“
See also: Windows Hello: New biometric security system for Windows.
To use passwords on your Windows computer to sign in to websites that require a password, you need to go to websites that support this feature, such as bestbuy.com , ebay.com , or google.com , create a password by going to your account settings, and then sign out of your account and sign back in using the new password you created.
You can also manage your passwords with a new password manager built into Windows settings. Simply go to the Settings Menu, then the Account Menu, and finally Access Keys. You’ll be able to see all the passkeys stored on your Windows device and search for and delete any you don’t use.
In May, Google announced that it was now supporting passwords for Google Accounts across all of services and platforms. This allows users to sign in to their accounts without entering a password or using 2-step verification (2SV).
In May 2022, Microsoft and Apple confirmed that they support Web Authentication (WebAuthn) credentials, or FIDO credentials, for passwords.
See also: Windows Hello scam with a photo
This method has now become the standard procedure for accessing accounts on platforms controlled by the big three tech giants, without the need for traditional passwords.
