Microsoft Makes New Accounts Passwordless

Microsoft is now forcing new users to adopt a passwordless future. Microsoft has announced a major security update — all new personal accoun...

Microsoft is now forcing new users to adopt a passwordless future.

Microsoft has announced a major security update — all new personal accounts created on its platform will now be passwordless by default. This change replaces traditional password prompts with modern, more secure authentication methods.

Users setting up a new account will be prompted to use alternatives such as passkeys, push notifications via the Microsoft Authenticator app, FIDO2 security keys, or Windows Hello's biometric sign-in options. This aligns with Microsoft's push to eliminate passwords, a goal it's been pursuing since 2021.

Microsoft states that over 70% of its enterprise customers and tens of millions of consumer accounts have already adopted passwordless authentication. The updated sign-in experience also features a redesigned UI to simplify onboarding and cross-device compatibility.

The initiative follows similar efforts by companies like Apple and Google, all of whom are aligned with the FIDO Alliance to promote secure and seamless login methods worldwide.

While legacy password login remains as a fallback for now, Microsoft’s long-term vision is clear: a future without passwords. Experts anticipate that the company may expand this policy across all account types, including Azure and enterprise tiers, in the near future.