It is now within the realm of possibility! Microsoft continues to devise new, more secure means of authentication, with Windows Hello spearheading this push into a world with passwords.
While we may be a few years away yet from that reality, things just got a bit closer.
And that is because the Redmond based company announced another such improvement for the Windows Hello feature that makes it possible for users to log in to their Microsoft accounts without passwords.
As the company detailed here, you are good to go as long as you are running Windows 10 version 1809 and using the Microsoft Edge web browser:
“With each update, we’re eradicating places where you’re forced to enter a username and password, bringing you peace of mind that your account is protected and accessed by you, and only you. We’re excited about the journey we’re on and hope you join us on this quest to go password-less.”
Take a look at this video, while you’re at it:
Of course, it also requires an inexpensive little FIDO2 authentication key that are devices that allow users to sign in to online services without a password. They usually look like a USB key, and come with biometric technology built in, as well as NFC on some models.
Companies like Yubico and Feitian Technology are selling these FIDO2 devices, with prices starting as low as $20.
Microsoft announced support for FIDO2 security key authentication in Windows 10 earlier this year, and now has made the feature officially available with the October 2018 Update.
Of course, if you already have a device that supports Windows Hello, you don’t need to buy a FIDO2 authentication key and sign in directly — you will see Windows Hello as a login option when you sign in using Microsoft Edge.
The future is here, as they like to say.
