Microsoft has just taken an important step towards a more secure future with fewer passwords. The Redmond giant has announced that users can now log in to all its services with alternative methods to the traditional password , that is, through Authenticator, Windows Hello, physical security keys or SMS codes.
Alternative logins came first to business users. Microsoft sought to strengthen the security of remote work by making hacks more complicated. Precisely because passwords are vulnerable to being hacked or guessed . If that happens, attackers could steal accounts or spoof identities.
As mentioned at the beginning, starting today all Microsoft account users can access this new security feature. To access it, you must install and associate the Microsoft Authenticator application and make changes to the security settings of the account. Below is the procedure, step by step.
Start logging in without password in Microsoft accounts
Download Microsoft Authenticator for iOS or Android from this link or from the App Store or Play Store Open the Microsoft Authenticator app and follow the steps to link your account Sign in with your Microsoft account on a computer Click the profile logo in the upper right corner and tap My Microsoft account. Enter Security and then Security Panel. Type the password again and click Advanced security options. In the Additional security section, select Activate in Account without passwords. Accept the request in the Microsoft Authenticator mobile application . Ready! From now on the password is disabled. The only way to access services like Windows, Xbox, Skype, OneDrive, is through the mentioned alternative methods. Clearly, as Microsoft explains, this action can be reversed at any time to use passwords again.
It should be noted that not everything in Microsoft supports passwordless login . This includes Xbox 360 or earlier, Office 2010 or earlier, Office for Mac 2011 or earlier, products and services that use IMAP and POP email services, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 1809 or earlier, and some Windows features such as remote desktop and credential manager.
