You'll No Longer Need to Set a Password With New Microsoft Accounts

CNET ^ | May 2, 2025 | Samantha Kelly

[Openurmind]

Microsoft is optimistic that our reliance on passwords is coming to a close.

Microsoft is once again moving closer to a passwordless future.

In a bold step toward embracing passkeys – which uses cryptography to better protect data from hackers and phishing scams – new Microsoft accounts will now be passwordless by default. Instead, the company will issue a prompt to set up passkeys as part of an effort to make the process more secure.

The need to get a better grasp on password protection comes at a time when many big tech companies are pushing to eliminate passwords altogether. Apple rolled out passkeys as part of iOS 16 in 2022, followed by Google, which allows people to sign in to Google and other popular accounts such as Amazon, WhatsApp and PayPal via fingerprint, face scan, PIN or pattern using a device's lock screen.

Now when a new Microsoft user attempts to enter a password and set up a "one time code" on their account, the company will prompt them to sign in with the code instead of the password and then encourage them to enroll a passkey. When they visit again, they'll be prompted to sign in with the passkey – not a password. Meanwhile, existing users can visit their account settings to delete their password.

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TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Conspiracy
KEYWORDS:

[Openurmind]

A "COPY" of the Key your Landlord "assigns" to you. No longer will it be your property, but physically theirs and they will always have the keys to it. They can even lock you out if they like just like a Landlord can. They will literally own you and your machine.

[Vermont Lt]

I started using “crypto keys.” They are secure and physical. I trust them more than allowing some company to maintain my data.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

So, just as with passwords, will the most common passkey be.....passkey?

[dfwgator]

[lefty-lie-spy]

“…which uses cryptography…”…

The author of this article is a complete idiot. ALL passwords are inherently a form of cryptography.

[smokingfrog]

I’m pretty sure the mark of the beast is going to be some implanted chip mandated by Microsoft.

[backpacker_c]

ms will say this is a great thing for you....

because it'll let microsoft better track and datamine you, and possibly even analyize the data on anything you log in to, for their gain

[I want the USA back]

After reading the article I have no idea what a passkey IS.

Before evaluating the article, I need to know this definition. The article should include a definition of a password, for comparison.

[glorgau]

So, it’s basically a bit like kerberos. Kind of a bother.

[Skywise]

Yeah, NO.

[ClearCase_guy]

“Passkey. It’s Russian for pass. I passkey down the streetskey.”
— Groucho Marx

[butlerweave]

I never make a Microsoft account just the Local login they let you do offline that I think stopped you from doing ,LOL

[E. Pluribus Unum]

ALL passwords are inherently a form of cryptography.

"Hashing, is a cryptographic process that transforms data into a fixed-size string of characters, called a hash, which cannot be reversed to obtain the original data."

I actually wrote a hashing algorithm for SSNs for one of my employers before SQL Server did it for you.

[TexasGator]

“ALL passwords are inherently a form of cryptography.”

Nope. Anyone can enter passwords. No encryption.

[Openurmind]

“I never make a Microsoft account just the Local login they let you do offline.”

They are going to eliminate that option. You won’t even be able to use it without an internet connection established and a cloud account connected in real time.

[SuperLuminal]

Bend over... Spread your cheeks... We’ve got your back...

[ducttape45]

No sir, not in my lifetime. It’ll be Linux for me before I ever allow that to happen to me.

[Vaduz]

Your “one time code” comrade what is it we have ways of making you talk.

[Openurmind]

I knew that... It is something I don’t have to worry about either. I am personally dumbfounded at how much folks will actually tolerate before making the minimal effort to rid themselves of this mess. :)

[Revel]

I read that Microsoft is doing away with the ability to create a local account in windows 11. So it sounds like you are soon to be required to have a bio scan in order to use your computer with windows 11. The Beast commith.