Microsoft first released support for keys in Windows 11 last year, introducing a passwordless way for users to sign in to their Microsoft accounts. Now, all consumer accounts can eventually generate keys that can be used on Windows, Android, and iOS.
Microsoft announced the full rollout of the feature on its security blog this week. The company noted that attacks against passwords have spiked by more than 3,378 percent since the initial rollout of Windows Hello, the biometric-based sign-in method for Windows 10, fueling its efforts to replace passwords with keys. Starting this week, Microsoft will allow you to add and use keys that give you access to accounts on Windows, Google, and Apple platforms via face, fingerprint, or device PIN.
Passwords have been increasing in popularity on many sites and platforms, and Google has even gone the "no password" route by adding its own password system. In short, they offer more security than traditional passwords because they are device-based: your device holds one part of the key, and the app or website (in this case Microsoft) holds the other. There are no "passwords" to crack: without a trusted device, the bad guys can't break into your account.
Microsoft has been slowly working to add key support to its ecosystem, starting with the Key Manager in Windows 11, which allows you to save keys for other websites and applications directly on your device. Creating keys with Windows is also expected to help make it easier to log in to other apps, as it sounds like Microsoft wants to expand the acceptance of its Windows keys.
With password crackers becoming so prevalent and password requirements becoming more complex, keys provide a convenient and more secure way to log into your account that doesn't require you to write down some long and cumbersome password, thus eliminating some of the extra security of remembering passwords immediately.
You can manage your keys on Windows 11 by navigating to Settings > Accounts > Key Settings and pressing the three dots next to any key to manage it. Manage.
