In a significant shift towards enhanced digital security, the tech community is embracing the inaugural “World Passkey Day,” marking a departure from the traditional “World Password Day.” This transition is underscored by the collective commitment of Microsoft and numerous organizations, all of whom have taken the Passkey Pledge. This initiative aims to bolster the implementation and adoption of passkeys throughout the coming year, reinforcing Microsoft’s dedication to a future where sign-ins are both straightforward and secure.
The journey toward passwordless sign-in
Reflecting on a decade of innovation, Microsoft’s journey began with a visionary concept: what if users could access their accounts with just a smile? This idea materialized into Windows Hello, a groundbreaking method allowing users to sign in using facial recognition, fingerprints, or a PIN. This initiative laid the groundwork for a new era of authentication, with over 99% of users now opting for Windows Hello to access their Microsoft accounts on Windows devices.
However, as our digital landscape evolved, it became evident that simply signing into devices without passwords was insufficient. To safeguard users’ digital lives, Microsoft has collaborated with the FIDO Alliance and other platform partners to develop passkeys—an authentication method that is resistant to phishing and replaces traditional passwords. With passkeys, users can now access any supported app or website using their face, fingerprint, or PIN. The momentum is palpable, with hundreds of websites now supporting passkey sign-ins, representing billions of accounts.
For a list of websites that support passkeys, visit Passkey Directory – FIDO Alliance.
Over the past ten years, two notable trends have emerged: users have become increasingly accustomed to passwordless sign-ins on their devices, while the frequency of password-related cyberattacks has surged. Cybercriminals are acutely aware that the era of passwords is waning, leading them to intensify their efforts in automating brute force and phishing attacks against accounts still reliant on passwords. Last year alone, a staggering 7,000 password attacks occurred every second, more than doubling the rate from 2023.
Our users love signing into their Microsoft accounts with passkeys
In the past year, Microsoft introduced passkey support for consumer applications, including Xbox and Copilot, resulting in nearly a million passkeys registered daily. Users signing in with passkeys enjoy a remarkable success rate—three times higher than those using traditional passwords, with a success rate of approximately 98% compared to 32%. Moreover, passkey sign-ins are eight times faster than those requiring passwords or multifactor authentication.
As we navigate towards a passwordless future, Microsoft is implementing significant changes to enhance user experience:
- New sign-in user experience (UX): A modernized and streamlined visual style has been launched, simplifying the sign-in and sign-up process while prioritizing passwordless methods.
- New accounts are passwordless by default: New Microsoft accounts will now be created without requiring a password. New users will have various passwordless options for account access, while existing users can opt to remove their passwords.
- Passwordless-preferred sign-in: The sign-in process will automatically detect and prioritize the safest available method, reducing reliance on passwords and encouraging passkey enrollment.
As we witness the decline of passwords, the potential for a passwordless digital landscape is becoming increasingly tangible. Currently, over 15 billion user accounts are capable of signing in using passkeys, according to the FIDO Alliance. However, the goal remains to transition billions more accounts to this secure method. On this World Passkey Day, we encourage users to secure at least one account with a passkey, enhancing their digital security while simplifying the sign-in process.
To create a passkey for signing into your Microsoft account, visit here. If you’re using Windows, you can also learn how to save and manage passkeys here: Save a passkey in Windows – Microsoft Support.
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1A breakthrough year for passwordless technology, Alex Simons. December 17, 2020.
2Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024
3New user experience for customer authentication, Robin Goldstein. March 26, 2025.
