Microsoft’s New Windows 11 Decision—Millions Of Passwords To Be Replaced

Microsoft has confirmed that a new update is to start gradually rolling out an update to Windows 11 that could see passwords replaced by passkeys using third-party providers such as 1Password, which has been working closely with Microsoft for some months. Here’s what you need to know.

Say Goodbye To Windows 11 Passwords

The Nov. 22 Microsoft posting to the official Windows Insider blogging platform confirmed what has been something of an open secret for the longest time: the move to passwordless authentication is happening quickly and that will include third-party passkey provider support.

“As part of Microsoft’s commitment to a passwordless future,” Microsoft said, “on Windows, we are launching API support for third-party passkey providers.” That application programming interface support is vital if third-party passkey providers, which Microsoft confirmed it has been engaging with, are to bring their user base and security experience to the no more passwords party.

Passwords will likely be around for quite a while, and Microsoft has recently announced other enhancements to make them more secure, such as encrypted password sharing for some Edge browser users. However, this latest passwords update is key to the greater acceptance of passkeys as the future of enhanced login security for all Windows 11 users.

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Third-Party Passkey Support To Roll Out In The Coming Months To Get Rid Of More Windows 11 Passwords

While Microsoft has been offering native passkey support for Windows users through the Windows Hello feature, this latest announcement marks the start of a new era of third-party passkey support which could accelerate the demise of relatively insecure passwords for Windows 11 users. “We are releasing updates to WebAuthn APIs to support a plugin authentication model for passkeys,” Microsoft said, adding that “in the coming months, Windows customers will be able to choose a third-party provider as an additional choice alongside the native Windows passkey provider while maintaining the Windows Hello user experience.”

Key to this move, if you will pardon the pun, is the forwarding of messages during WebAuthn flows to the third-party plugin and their return to the WebAuthn client app, ensuring that there is a seamless passkey experience with Windows Hello that users are already familiar with.

“For Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you,” Microsoft said, “you can turn on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings \> Windows Update.” Hopefully, this new update decision from Microsoft will mean that passwords become a thing of the past thanks to the broadest support for passkeys in the not-too-distant future.