Microsoft Declares End of Passwords for New Accounts Starting Now

Microsoft is taking a major step toward a password-free future. The company has announced that all newly created Microsoft accounts will now default to a “passwordless” setup. That means users won’t be required to set or remember a traditional password—instead, they’ll log in using more secure options like passkeys, biometrics (such as fingerprints or facial recognition), or physical security keys.

This update coincides with Microsoft’s involvement in the inaugural “World Passkey Day,” which replaces the now-retired “World Password Day.” Alongside dozens of tech industry peers, Microsoft has pledged to promote passkey adoption as part of a global initiative to make online authentication safer and easier.

Microsoft has seen encouraging signs since enabling passkey support for its consumer apps and services last year. Currently, users register nearly one million passkeys every day. According to the company, people using passkeys successfully log into their accounts 98% of the time—more than three times the success rate of those relying on passwords. Passkey logins are also significantly faster, completing eight times quicker than passwords or even multi-factor authentication (MFA).

This change comes in response to the growing threat of password-related cyberattacks. Microsoft reports that the frequency of such attacks has soared to 7,000 per second—more than double the rate from 2023. Meanwhile, ArsTechnica notes the rise of advanced phishing tactics like “adversary in the middle” attacks, which can bypass commonly used MFA tools like text codes or authentication app prompts.

These types of phishing attacks exploit weaknesses in one-time codes and push notifications, but passkeys based on WebAuthn technology are built to resist them. Because passkeys are cryptographically tied to specific websites and devices, they’re far more secure against interception or spoofing attempts.

To support this transition, Microsoft has introduced a redesigned sign-in experience that features a cleaner, more modern layout. This new interface not only looks updated but also simplifies the login process and intelligently selects the most secure method available for each user.

Although new users will automatically get the passwordless experience, existing account holders can make the switch too. Microsoft offers settings that allow users to remove their passwords and enable passwordless sign-in if they prefer.

Microsoft’s move toward eliminating passwords isn’t new—it actually began around 10 years ago with the launch of Windows Hello, which enabled facial recognition, fingerprint, and PIN-based sign-ins. Today, more than 99% of people signing into Windows devices using Microsoft accounts do so with Windows Hello.

Finally, Microsoft notes that passkey support is growing fast across the tech world. According to the FIDO Alliance, over 15 billion accounts globally are now capable of signing in with passkeys instead of passwords. Users interested in going passwordless with their Microsoft account can visit the company’s official passkey setup page to get started.

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