Microsoft is taking a major step toward a passwordless future by setting passkeys—such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or PINs—as the default sign-in method for new accounts, according to TechRepublic. The change aligns with the broader industry push to replace passwords with more secure and user-friendly authentication, timed alongside World Password Day. While users could previously choose alternate login methods, Microsoft is now positioning passkeys as the new standard.This shift is backed by Microsoft’s participation in the Passkey Pledge, a collective industry effort to eliminate passwords in favor of phishing-resistant login systems. The company highlighted data showing that users are far more likely to successfully log in using passkeys than traditional passwords, reducing friction while improving security. Windows Hello, which supports biometric authentication, is already widely used across Windows devices.For existing users, passwords are still an option—but Microsoft will begin nudging them toward the “best available” sign-in method on their accounts, likely passkeys. This means password users may increasingly be prompted to rely on PINs or biometrics, especially if they already use forms of two-factor authentication. The goal is to transition users gradually without breaking their existing login flows.Microsoft is not alone in this effort. Apple and Google have also committed to supporting the FIDO Alliance’s passwordless sign-in standards. Google will deploy passkey support across its browser, operating systems, and apps, while Apple continues to expand biometric login options. Together, these moves signal that passwords are slowly being phased out across the tech industry in favor of more secure alternatives.
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