Enhancing Security: How to Implement Passkeys on Windows 11 for Password-Free Authentication

Passkeys offer a convenient and secure way to access your preferred services without the hassle of constantly memorizing and entering passwords. By choosing passkeys, users can enhance the security of their accounts and devices. If you’re considering replacing passwords entirely with two-factor authentication via passkeys on Windows 11, continue reading this guide.

You might be wondering, what exactly are passkeys? Passkeys enable users to log into their accounts using various methods such as their phone’s biometric sensor, a PIN, a pattern, or another trusted device. To ensure that you can utilize passkeys on Windows 11, it’s essential to have the latest 22H2 update installed, along with the most up-to-date version of Chrome.

Using passkeys on a website Many websites now support passkeys as an authentication method. To find out which services offer passkey support, you can visit Passkeys.io, as reported by DigitalTrends.

1. To establish a passkey for a specific service, like Gmail in this example, visit the Google Passkey page. Log in with your account credentials and then select “Create a passkey.”
2. At this stage, you may be prompted to verify your identity using Windows Hello or follow on-screen prompts to set it up.
3. Once your passkey is successfully created, the next time you log into Gmail, it will request your passkey instead of your password.
4. A Windows Hello pop-up will appear, requesting your biometric information (or the chosen authentication method), after which you’ll gain access to your account.

If you’ve configured multiple passkeys on your Windows 11 computer, you can manage them by following these steps:

1. Open Windows Settings and navigate to the Accounts section.
2. Under Accounts, select Passkey settings.
3. Here, you’ll find a list of your configured passkeys. You can remove passkeys by clicking on the three-dot menu and selecting Delete.

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Passkeys represent a robust multi-factor authentication system that replaces the need for both a password and a one-time password (OTP), thereby significantly enhancing the security of your accounts.