Edit

Support for passkeys in Windows

Passkeys provide a more secure and convenient method to logging into websites and applications compared to passwords. Unlike passwords, which users must remember and type, passkeys are stored as secrets on a device and can use a device's unlock mechanism (such as biometrics or a PIN). Passkeys can be used without the need for other sign-in challenges, making the authentication process faster, secure, and more convenient.

You can use passkeys with any applications or websites that support them, to create and sign in with Windows Hello. Once a passkey is created and stored with Windows Hello, you can use your device's biometrics or PIN to sign in. Alternatively, you can use a companion device (phone or tablet) to sign in.

Note

Starting in Windows 11, version 22H2 with KB5030310, Windows provides a native experience for passkey management. However, passkeys can be used in all supported versions of Windows clients.

This article describes how to create and use passkeys on Windows devices.

How passkeys work

Microsoft has long been a founding member of the FIDO Alliance and has helped to define and use passkeys natively within a platform authenticator like Windows Hello. Passkeys utilize the FIDO industry security standard, which is adopted by all major platforms. Leading technology companies like Microsoft are backing passkeys as part of the FIDO Alliance, and numerous websites and apps are integrating support for passkeys.

The FIDO protocols rely on standard public/private key cryptography techniques to offer more secure authentication. When a user registers with an online service, their client device generates a new key pair. The private key is stored securely on the user's device, while the public key is registered with the service. To authenticate, the client device must prove that it possesses the private key by signing a challenge. The private keys can only be used after they're unlocked by the user using the Windows Hello unlock factor (biometrics or PIN).

FIDO protocols prioritize user privacy, as they're designed to prevent online services from sharing information or tracking users across different services. Additionally, any biometric information used in the authentication process remains on the user's device and isn't transmitted across the network or to the service.

Passkeys compared to passwords

Passkeys have several advantages over passwords, including their ease of use and intuitive nature. Unlike passwords, passkeys are easy to create, don't need to be remembered, and don't need to be safeguarded. Additionally, passkeys are unique to each website or application, preventing their reuse. They're highly secure because they're only stored on the user's devices, with the service only storing public keys. Passkeys are designed to prevent attackers to guess or obtain them, which helps to make them resistant to phishing attempts where the attacker may try to trick the user into revealing the private key. Passkeys are enforced by the browsers or operating systems to only be used for the appropriate service, rather than relying on human verification. Finally, passkeys provide cross-device and cross-platform authentication, meaning that a passkey from one device can be used to sign in on another device.

Windows edition and licensing requirements

The following table lists the Windows editions that support passkeys:

Windows Pro Windows Enterprise Windows Pro Education/SE Windows Education
Yes Yes Yes Yes

Passkeys license entitlements are granted by the following licenses:

Windows Pro/Pro Education/SE Windows Enterprise E3 Windows Enterprise E5 Windows Education A3 Windows Education A5
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

For more information about Windows licensing, see Windows licensing overview.

User experiences

Create a passkey

By default, Windows offers to save the passkey locally on the Windows device, in which case the passkey is protected by Windows Hello (biometrics and PIN). You can also choose to save the passkey in one of the following locations:

  • iPhone, iPad or Android device: the passkey is saved on a phone or tablet, protected by the device's biometrics, if offered by the device. This option requires you to scan a QR code with your phone or tablet, which must be in proximity of the Windows device
  • Linked device: the passkey is saved on a phone or tablet, protected by the device's biometrics, if offered by the device. This option requires the linked device to be in proximity of the Windows device, and it's only supported for Android devices
  • Security key: the passkey is saved to a FIDO2 security key, protected by the key's unlock mechanism (for example, biometrics or PIN)

Pick one of the following options to learn how to save a passkey, based on where you want to store it.

  1. Open a website or app that supports passkeys
  1. Create a passkey from your account settings
  1. Select the option Use another device > Next

Screenshot showing a dialog box prompting the user to pick a location to store the passkey.

  1. Select This Windows device > Next
  1. Select a Windows Hello verification method and proceed with the verification, then select OK

Screenshot showing the Windows Hello face verification method.

  1. The passkey is saved to your Windows device. To confirm select OK

Screenshot confirming that the passkey is saved to the Windows device

Use a passkey

When you open a website or app that supports passkeys, if a passkey is stored locally, you're automatically prompted to use Windows Hello to sign in. You can also choose to use a passkey from one of the following locations:

  • iPhone, iPad or Android device: use this option if you want to sign in with a passkey stored on a phone or tablet. This option requires you to scan a QR code with your phone or tablet, which must be in proximity of the Windows device
  • Linked device: use this option if you want to sign in with a passkey stored on a device that is in proximity of the Windows device. This option is only supported for Android devices
  • Security key: use this option if you want to sign in with a passkey stored on a FIDO2 security key

Pick one of the following options to learn how to use a passkey, based on where you saved it.

  1. Open a website or app that supports passkeys
  1. Select Sign in with a passkey, or a similar option

Screenshot of a website offering the passkey sign in option.

  1. Select the option Use another device > Next

Screenshot of the passkey dialog prompting the user to pick where the passkey is stored.

  1. Select This Windows device > Next
  1. Select a Windows Hello unlock option

Screenshot showing the Windows Hello prompt for a verification method.

  1. Select OK to continue signing in

Manage passkeys

Starting in Windows 11, version 22H2 with KB5030310, you can use the Settings app to view and manage passkeys saved for apps or websites. Go to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys, or use the following shortcut:

Manage passkeys

  • A list of saved passkeys is displayed and you can filter them by name
  • To delete a passkey, select ... > Delete passkey next to the passkey name

Screenshot of the Settings app showing the delete option for a passkey.

Note

Some passkeys for login.microsoft.com can't be deleted, as they're used with Microsoft Entra ID and/or Microsoft Account for signing in to the device and Microsoft services.

Provide feedback

To provide feedback for passkeys, open Feedback Hub and use the category Security and Privacy > Passkey.