Previously an enterprise-level exclusive feature, Microsoft recently gave Windows 10 Home edition users access to passwordless authentication. As the name implies, the system doesn’t use passwords for logging into your Microsoft Account.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds; sure, you aren’t using a password anymore, but you’re using other forms of authentication to log into your Microsoft Account. You could use the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, or two-factor authentication codes via text or email. You’ll find this feature supported with services like Windows 10 or 11 PC, your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One, Microsoft Office 365 apps, Microsoft Outlook, The Microsoft Store, and Microsoft account website.
Passwordless authentication is important to Microsoft because the company sees passwords as simply unreliable. Many of us, unfortunately, have easy-to-guess passwords attached to our accounts; but even some complicated passwords fall prey to brute force tactics far too quickly to be secure.
If you’re interested in setting up passwordless authentication for your Microsoft Account (and some supported apps and services) you can learn more from Microsoft’s website.
