Microsoft is expanding passkey support in Windows 11 to make logging into websites and apps more secure using biometric authentication.

Access keys are unique codes linked to specific devices such as computers, tablets or smartphones. Using access keys greatly reduces the risk of data breaches as they provide protection against phishing attacks that cannot steal them and gain unauthorized access.

Access keys provide a safer and more convenient alternative to passwords as they allow the use of personal identification numbers (PINs) or biometric authentication such as fingerprints or facial recognition to log in to websites and apps.

This eliminates the need to remember and manage multiple passwords, improving overall security and user experience.

Like Microsoft revealedWindows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 pushed to the dev channel has passwordless enhancements that allow customers to sign in to their accounts using passkeys and Windows Hello.

“We’re improving the security key experience for Windows users. They can now access any application or website that supports security keys to create and sign in using security keys with the native Windows Hello experience,” said Microsoft’s Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc. said.

“Once a password is created, users can use Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, PIN) to sign in. Additionally, users can use their phone to complete the app sign-in process. .”

To use passkeys on your Windows device for website logins, you need to go to passkey compatible websites like bestbuy.com, ebay.com or google.com, create a passkey access by accessing your account settings, then logging out. your account, then log in again using your new password.

You can also manage your authentication keys using a new authentication key management dialog built into Windows Settings by going to Settings > Accounts > Authentication Keys.

You will see all the passwords saved on the Windows device and you can find and delete the ones you no longer use.

While testing functionality, BleepingComputer might use Windows 11 passkeys with Best Buy and Microsoft accounts when trying to sign in.

However, although Google allows the creation of a password, it never prompted us to login with a password when we try to log into a Google account.

In May, Google announcement that it is rolling out passkey support for Google Accounts across all of its services and platforms to allow users to sign in to their accounts without entering a password or using two-step verification ( 2SV).

In May 2022, Microsoft and Apple also confirmed their commitment to security keys, approving Web Authentication (WebAuthn) credentials (aka FIDO credentials).

This has now become the standard approach for accessing accounts without requiring traditional passwords on platforms controlled by the three tech giants.

“Access keys will allow you to override passwords when you log into a website or app that supports them,” Langowski and LeBlanc said.

“Passkeys represent a future where bad actors will have a much harder time stealing and using your credentials when logging into a website or app. Passkeys are phishing-resistant, recoverable and faster for users.”