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I have never created a USB security key - so how can I get Windows 11 to stop requesting it?

Anonymous
2023-07-08T12:25:05+00:00

I have never created a USB security key for Windows 11. However, Windows will occasionally pop up a message asking me to insert a USB security key (for instance, this happened yesterday when I tried to generate a new ssh key in git bash). These interuptions are preventing me from getting work done.

I sign in as a local adminstrator, and my user account is not associated with a Microsoft account.

No one else uses the laptop, and there are no other user accounts.

The laptop is a SurfacePro 5 running Windows 11 Pro version 22H2.

It is not managed by a school or workplace.

If I go to Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in options -> Security key -> Manage it will ask me to insert my security key into a USB port, which, obviously, I cannot do becasue I have never created one.

Although my Microsoft account is not associated with my user account on the device - if I sign in to my Microsoft account in a browser and select Security -> Advanced security options -> Ways to prove who you are I see nothing pertaining to USB security keys - because I have never created one!

How can I stop Windows from requesting a USB security key, please?

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.***

Surface | Surface Pro | Safety and security

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-28T13:15:43+00:00

    I am having the same problem!

    The windows start to ask me about this security key unexpectedly.... I tried to disabled it in the cofiguration of my windows account but it asked me to put the USB with this security key that I have never created in my life!

    I lost access to a lot of we accounts that was connected with my windows PIN, because now its asking me this security key to entry in those websites as well.

    I have tried to get help from the support team but anyone can help me because they say that it is a "hardware problem" and I need to call a hardware technical support to solve it, do you believe?!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-20T18:20:26+00:00

    Perhaps it's best to consider this another way...

    Let's pretend that I did create a USB security key (I didn't), and let's pertend that the USB security key was destroyed in a fire. I can still sign in to the laptop with my passowrd. How can I remove all record of the USB security key from the laptop - given that I have an admin account - without access to the USB security key?

    Thank you for any help you can provide.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-07-11T06:58:06+00:00

    Hi Lavenia,

    Thank you for taking the time to respond.

    In Device Manager under Universal Serial Bus controllers, I only see two entries: Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller, and USB Root Hub. There is no USB security key driver.

    I followed the link that you provided and navigated to the section "Delete a security key from your security info", but unfortunately this prompts you to first follow the instructions in the "Reset a security key" section which start by instructing you to:

    1. Open the Windows Settings app, select Accounts, select Sign-in options, select Security Key, and then select Manage.
    2. Insert your security key into the USB port...

    I cannot complete step two becasue I do not have a USB security key.

    If anyone is able to provice further advice on how to fix this issue it would be appreciated.

    Kind regards,

    Martin

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-07-11T20:14:14+00:00

    You're welcome, Martin Cooke1. We're sorry if none of the suggested solution works.

    Click Accounts in the Settings app.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-07-09T16:28:15+00:00

    Hi Martin Cooke1,

    Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry for the trouble this has caused you.

    I am aware that your Surface Pro is giving you difficulties since it keeps asking you to insert a USB security key even though you haven't made a USB recovery key. Let us work on this together. I value the time and effort you have given out, especially in trying to resolve the problem.

    Kindly try to open Device Manager and expand the contents of the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category. See if you have the USB security key driver, if it's showing on the list select Uninstall from the context menu then restart your Surface to see if problem persist.

    If that doesn't work, check this article and follow the solution from this article Set up a security key as your verification method - Microsoft Support. Navigate to "Delete a security key from your security info".

    Let me know how it goes.

    Kind regards,

    Lavenia

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