# Microsoft Kills the Password Star: New Accounts to Default to Passwordless Security

## Microsoft Kills the Password Star: New Accounts to Default to Passwordless Security

Microsoft is taking a giant leap towards a password-free future, announcing that new accounts will now default to passwordless login methods. This means users signing up for Microsoft services will be guided towards using more secure options like passkeys, push notifications via the Microsoft Authenticator app, and physical security keys, completely bypassing the traditional password creation process.

This move marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s security strategy, building upon years of work in promoting passwordless alternatives. The company has previously enabled passwordless logins for Windows and even allowed users to remove passwords from existing accounts. Now, it’s making passwordless the standard for new users.

The change is being rolled out alongside a recently redesigned sign-in window, optimized for a passwordless and passkey-first experience. The updated interface reorders the login steps to seamlessly guide users through the passwordless authentication process.

“As part of this simplified UX, we’re changing the default behavior for new accounts,” Microsoft stated. “Brand new Microsoft accounts will now be ‘passwordless by default.’ New users will have several passwordless options for signing into their account, and they’ll never need to enroll a password. Existing users can visit their account settings to delete their password.”

While existing accounts won’t be forced to abandon passwords, Microsoft hopes this move will encourage wider adoption of more secure authentication methods.

Reinforcing its commitment to passwordless security, Microsoft is renaming “World Password Day” to “World Passkey Day” and plans to continue expanding passkey support across its services. Last year, the company introduced passkeys to consumer accounts, and the results have been promising. Microsoft reports that “nearly a million passkeys [are] registered every day,” and passkey users experience a significantly higher success rate when signing in (98 percent) compared to password-based accounts (32 percent).

This initiative represents a major step towards a safer and more convenient online experience for Microsoft users. By prioritizing passkeys and other passwordless methods, Microsoft aims to significantly reduce the risk of password-related security breaches and streamline the login process for its growing user base.