Microsoft is making it easier for Windows 11 users to adopt passkey, a secure alternative to traditional passwords. The tech giant has launched a plug-in model that allows third-party passkey providers like 1Password and Bitwarden to integrate with Windows 11, helping users use passkeys created on mobile devices to log in on their Windows 11 PCs.
Passkeys, considered safer than passwords, protect users from phishing attacks and data breaches. They also offer a more streamlined user experience, eliminating the need to remember complex passwords.
Microsoft is also redesigning the Windows Hello interface for users who create and manage passkeys. The process will start with a one-time setup using a Microsoft account, followed by the option to save a recovery key to verify the user’s identity and protect passkeys with end-to-end encryption.
Users can then authenticate using facial recognition fingerprint or PIN and save their passkey with Windows Hellp for future use.
Microsoft’s updated passkey provider enables users to sync passkeys across multiple Windows 11 devices. By logging in with a Microsoft account on another device, users can access their saved passkeys across different Windows devices.
The new passkey feature will be available to Windows Insiders in the coming months. This means that it will eventually be available to all.
The passkeys are secured by end-to-end encryption and protected using the device’s Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
“Security is a team sport,” Microsoft emphasised, highlighting the collaborative efforts with OEMs, app developers, and partners to create a more secure ecosystem.
Last year, Google announced passkeys for personal Google accounts, eliminating the need for passwords. In July 2024, Google’s Advanced Protection Program added passkeys for security.
In May 2024, WhatsApp also launched an update for iOS, providing passkey support, among other things.
Social media platforms like X also expanded support for iPhone users who need to passkey login.
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