Microsoft Rolls out Passwordless Sign-in
Microsoft recently announced it is officially retiring written passwords for personal accounts, including Outlook, OneDrive and Family Safety. Corporate accounts have been eligible for password-free sign-on since March, but now all consumers can join in.
“We know people hate passwords,” Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of security, compliance and identity, said in an emailed statement. “Thirty percent of people said they just have stopped using an account or service they were trying to log into rather than deal with a password reset. I’ve even done that. Imagine the shopping carts, memberships or accounts that have been abandoned because of password issues.”
If you want to go passwordless, here are the steps you can take:
- Download the Microsoft Authenticator app and log into your account. Check to make sure your enable notifications and touch ID for the app are set. Go to account.microsoft.com and log in again.
- Once logged in, select Security → Advanced Security Options → Additional Security Options → Passwordless Account → Turn On.
- Then, go back to the Authenticator app, approve the notification. Done!
If you try ditching the password and it is not for you, Microsoft will let you un-do the above steps. However, by removing your password, you are increasing your security. Keep that in mind. Removing your password will help to protect your Microsoft account from identity attacks while providing even easier access to the best apps and services like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Family Safety, Microsoft Edge and more.
You can choose between the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, a security key, or phone/email verification codes to log into Microsoft Edge or Microsoft 365 apps and services.
2W Tech is a technology service provider specializing in solutions for the manufacturing industry. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner and would be happy to walk you through the steps to go passwordless with Microsoft. Give us a call today to learn more about Microsoft 365.
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