When was the last time you really thought about how you log in to your accounts? Or how secure those logins are?

For years, we have depended on passwords. But let’s face it, passwords are a hassle. They are easy to forget, often reused, and a favorite target for cybercriminals.

That is where passkeys come in. Windows is finally making it much easier to use them.

So, what is a passkey?

A passkey is a modern replacement for your password. Instead of typing a string of characters that could be stolen or guessed, a passkey lets you sign in using something much safer. Think facial recognition, your fingerprint, or a secure PIN connected to your device.

Behind the scenes, passkeys use advanced cryptography. There is no password for hackers to steal, because the passkey has two parts: one that stays on your device, and one that stays with the service you are logging into.

They work together like a lock and key, but the key never leaves your pocket. Since you cannot accidentally hand it over, it is much harder for phishing scams to succeed.

Until now, using passkeys in Windows has been clunky. You often had to use third-party apps or websites, and it was not always clear how to set them up.

Now, Microsoft is making things easier.

Windows 11 is rolling out new features that make passkeys simple to use and manage. One big step is a partnership with 1Password, a leading password manager. This means you can sync your passkeys smoothly in Windows 11.

If you do not use 1Password, that is fine. Microsoft has also released a new tool that lets other password managers work with Windows more easily.

In short, your passkeys will work better with the security tools your business already uses.

Right now, these features are being tested in the latest Windows 11 preview build, so they are not available to everyone yet. But it is clear that this is the direction things are heading.

Microsoft is serious about moving beyond passwords. The Microsoft Authenticator app is ending its password management feature, and passkeys will become the default way to sign in to Microsoft accounts.

Passkeys are more secure and less hassle than keeping track of endless passwords. With Windows making it easier to switch, now is a great time to start thinking about a password-free future for your business.

If you want help understanding passkeys or getting set up, we are here for you. Reach out any time - our team loves making tech work for you.