Microsoft Moves Towards Password-Free Sign-Ins For Over A Billion Users

Microsoft has announced a major shift in how users sign into their accounts. The company is removing passwords from Microsoft accounts to make authentication simpler and more secure. This change follows growing concerns over how easy it is for passwords to be guessed, forgotten, or stolen.

A recent report by Forbes reveals that password-led accounts face 7,000 attacks every second, nearly double the rate from the previous year. This increase highlights the growing risks associated with traditional passwords.

What Will Replace Passwords?

Instead of passwords, Microsoft will use passkeys supported by hardware or biometric methods. These include facial recognition and fingerprint scans. This new system aims to be more secure and user-friendly. Unlike two-factor authentication, which can be bypassed or intercepted, passkeys provide better protection against phishing and hacking.

Microsoft explained that remembering complex, unique passwords for different sites is inconvenient. Passkeys solve this issue by offering a unified and secure sign-in method. They also eliminate the risk of password leaks.

New Sign-In Process For Users

Microsoft account users will soon notice changes when signing in on web and mobile apps. Users will only need to enter their email address. A one-time code will verify their identity, creating a passwordless account.

After signing in, users can set up a passkey. This will then become their default login method. Microsoft says passkeys are not only more secure but also three times faster than traditional passwords.

Microsoft clarified that passwords won’t be used as backup credentials either. If both a password and passkey exist, the account still faces phishing risks. Unlike some providers, such as Google, which will keep passwords as backups, Microsoft is fully embracing the passwordless future.

New Look And Feel For Microsoft Sign-Ins

The new sign-in design follows Microsoft’s Fluent 2 design language. The updated layout is clean, responsive, and easier to use on any device. It includes support for Light and Dark Modes, starting with Xbox apps and expanding to others soon.

The new interface also features a consistent Microsoft brand image and colour scheme, creating a unified look across all products.

Rollout Timeline And Impact

The redesigned sign-in experience began rolling out to Xbox users in February and will continue through April 2025. The update is coming first to web and mobile apps, with Windows app support coming later.

At this stage, Microsoft Entra accounts, which are used for work or school, are not affected. However, the improvements may influence future updates for Entra accounts too.

Microsoft said: “Over the last few years, we’ve introduced several enhancements, including the ability to completely remove the password from your account and support for passkey sign in instead of using a password.”