Microsoft makes passwordless the default for new accounts: Here's what it means for users

Microsoft has announced a significant step towards passwordless future. The tech giant has revealed that it is now making passwordless authentication the default option for all new users of Microsoft accounts. The company revealed in a blog post that this change aims to streamline the sign-in process while bolstering protection against phishing and other password-related threats. Passkeys leverage biometric authentication (like fingerprint or facial recognition) or a PIN tied to a user's device, eliminating the need to remember and manage complex passwords that are susceptible to being stolen or compromised.

Microsoft priorities passwordless sign-in: What it means for users
According to Microsoft, making passwordless the default for new accounts will encourage users to adopt this more secure method from the outset. Existing users will also continue to be guided towards transitioning to passwordless options.

“Earlier this year, we launched a new visual style that simplifies the sign-in and sign-up experience. The new design is modernised and streamlined and prioritises passwordless methods for sign-in and sign-up,” said the company.

“As part of this simplified UX, we’re changing the default behaviour for new accounts. Brand new Microsoft accounts will now be “passwordless by default.” New users will have several passwordless options for signing into their account and they’ll never need to enroll a password. Existing users can visit their account settings to delete their password,” added the company.

Microsoft has also revealed that it is also making simpler for the users to sign-in with safer options. The company mentioned that it will now automatically detect the best available method for account sign-in and will then make it the default option.

Microsoft claims that this will make speed-up the sign-in process and will reduce the use of passwords by 20%.

New account creation processes will now guide users to set up a passkey as their primary sign-in method. Existing users will likely see increased prompts and guidance encouraging them to adopt passkeys for enhanced security.