Why do I get prompts to set up a "face," "passkey," etc. when I log into Outlook? Are they forcing a change?

Question

When I try to sign into my personal Outlook, I keep getting a screen prompting me to set up a face recognition, some type of passkey, or other log-in method. My concern: for my work Outlook, we have an MFA system that Microsoft uses that requires a smartphone. I do not use a smartphone and currently our tech services created a workaround. Microsoft used to text a code, but my understanding is that they no longer want to send security codes by text. This creates a problem. I am worried that this will be required for my personal accounts. I am fine using the password. What is the reason for these prompts and the status of Microsoft's plans to change how people access their accounts?

Answer 1

Hi Steven,

Those screens are Microsoft's new passwordless nudges. For existing personal Outlook accounts this is optional today.

Microsoft (and big tech, in general) is moving toward passwordless by default and, over time, plans to rely on passkeys more and passwords less, which is why you are seeing stronger prompts after you sign in. Microsoft said this in May 2025 when it introduced a passwordless-preferred sign-in flow that encourages passkey enrollment after a successful sign-in.

You can keep using your password on your personal account. On that prompt, select Other ways to sign in, then choose Password. After you are in, go to account.microsoft.com and head to Security > Manage how I sign in to confirm your password is enabled and add or keep a non-phone fallback like email codes if you want.

If you want to reduce how often you see passkey prompts without a smartphone, you have two phone-free options that Microsoft supports:

• First, simply keep choosing Password when prompted and do not turn on passwordless for your account.
• Second, if you prefer stronger security, add a USB security key and use that instead of a phone. You can add or manage a security key from Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options on Windows or from your Microsoft account's Advanced security options page.

For your work Outlook, the rules are different.

Your employer controls allowed methods in Microsoft Entra. If your IT allows it, methods like FIDO2 security keys or Windows Hello do not require a phone. Ask them to enable those if you want a phone-free sign-in.

Let me know if you have more questions about this!

Answer 2

Hotmail keeps trying to create a Passkey (which I have to cancel) during login even when I select password! I'll be stuffed if I'm going give away my fingerprint, face or other details so that they are then available to the world!

Answer 3

Since posting this, I have discovered that I can access my personal account without the need for alternatives using Firefox. Also, my organization is not set up to use passkeys. The problem is resolved. I received an email stating that my above comment was "under review"/moderation. I am uncertain how the question could violate community guidelines so the moderators should just remove it.