Microsoft accounts no longer need associated passwords – Computer – News

Microsoft makes it possible to have a Microsoft account without a password. Users who choose to do so can sign in using alternative methods such as the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, a security key, or a verification code.

Starting Wednesday, Microsoft will make it possible to create a Microsoft account without a password initialization. Right now, it’s only about personal accounts that will get the “account without password” option sometime between now and the coming months. This will appear on both existing accounts that already have a password and when setting up a new account.

Users who want to remove the password from their account must enter Microsoft Authenticator app Install and link their account. They can then enable or disable the option in the Additional Security Options for their Microsoft account, under Account Without Password. Finally, they need to verify their account.

Microsoft warns users that they “may lose access” to some older apps, services, and devices. For example, it is not possible Sign in to Xbox 360 With a Microsoft account without a password, nor on any Office program from 2010 or earlier, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 or earlier.

Microsoft recommends that Xbox 360 or Office 2010 users have a file Application password to use. This is an automatically generated password that the user can request from the security options in their account. After once, the password expires and a new one must be requested. Microsoft reports that it is always possible to disable the “account without password” again.

Sign-in options include Microsoft Authenticator and Windows Hello, where you do not need a password, but, for example, a PIN or a fingerprint. According to Microsoft, hacking these methods is less easy than hacking a password. Additionally, passwords are often part of a data leak, which wouldn’t happen quickly with a PIN, for example. Also, users will find passwords annoying. According to a survey commissioned by Microsoft, a third of people would rather stop using their account altogether than reset their password. The company says 85 percent of users log in without a password.

Microsoft has also informed that it will soon begin the work required to remove passwords from Azure Active Directory accounts. Administrators are then given the option to set whether or not this option is granted to specific users. The company has been working for some time to be able to remove passwords as a login method for its software and services. Password not required since 2019 For Windows 10.