Tech Desk 
Jul 14, 2025
Microsoft plans to completely change how we access our online accounts by doing away with passwords and adopting passkeys, which are a safer and more practical option.
A major step towards a password-free future will be taken on August 1st when the Microsoft Authenticator app stops supporting passwords.
What is a passkey?
Passkeys offer a more convenient and safe method of accessing your accounts by using biometric information, such as a PIN, fingerprints, or facial recognition, to confirm your identity.
Digital security specialist Attila Tomaschek claims that passkeys are a better option than passwords since they are more secure and do not require remembering complicated passwords.
Tomaschek stated, "Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts."
"Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks." She continued.
How to set up Microsoft passkey?
In Microsoft Authenticator, all you have to do is launch the application, tap on your account, and choose "Set up a passkey."
You can configure the passkey after being asked to log in using your current credentials.
The best passkey to set up will be automatically determined by Microsoft and set as your default sign-in choice.
As experts advised, by using passkeys, you can access your accounts more conveniently and securely, which removes the risks associated with using weak or frequently used passwords.
However, if you still want to use passwords after August 1, you can keep them in Microsoft Edge.
