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How to enable passwordless login on Microsoft account

Microsoft now lets you remove your account password for a passwordless experience, and here's how to enable it.

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Mauro Huculak @Pureinfotech
September 16, 2021
2022-04-08T07:10:32-04:00
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Microsoft account passwordless setup
Microsoft account passwordless setup
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  • Open to Microsoft account > Security > Advanced security options.
  • Turn on the “Passwordless account” option and confirm the request with the authenticator app.
  • It’s recommended to enable two-factor authentication before making the account password.

You can now remove your password from your Microsoft account to enable the passwordless experience. This means that you will be using the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, security key device, text message by phone, or email verification to sign in to your account without the need for a password.

The idea of this approach is simple. Accounts need long and strong passwords, and each one has to have a different password, something that most people fail to do since they are difficult to remember, and attackers exploit this on a daily basis. The passwordless experience makes it easier to keep your account secure using something that only you can access, such as your phone, biometrics, security key, or another email account.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to turn on the passwordless option in your Microsoft account. (See also the video tutorial on the Pureinfotech YouTube channel.)

  • Enable passwordless login on Microsoft account
  • Enable two-factor authentication on Microsoft account

Enable passwordless login on Microsoft account

The process to remove your password from the account for a passwordless experience requires you to install the Microsoft Authenticator app and link your Microsoft account.

If you already have the two-factor authentication feature configured and linked with the Authenticator app, continue with the steps below. Otherwise, first, enable the two-factor authentication feature, and proceed to enable the passwordless feature.

To make a Microsoft account passwordless, use these steps:

  1. Open your Microsoft account online.

  2. Sign in to the account (if applicable).

  3. Click the Security tab.

  4. Under the “Security basics” section, click the Advanced security options link.

  5. Under the “Additional security” section, click the “Turn on” link for the Passwordless account option.

    Enable passwordless account

  6. Click the Next button.

    Set up passwordless account

  7. Open your phone.

  8. Confirm the passwordless request on the authenticator app.

  9. Click the Done button.

Once you complete the steps, you can start signing in to your account without a password.

Enable two-factor authentication on Microsoft account

If your account doesn’t have the more secure authentication feature enabled, it’s recommended to enable it before trying to set the passwordless experience.

To enable two-factor authentication on a Microsoft account, use these steps:

  1. Open your Microsoft account online.

  2. Sign in to the account (if applicable).

  3. Click the Security tab.

  4. Under the “Security basics” section, click the Advanced security options link.

  5. Under the “Additional security” section, click the “Turn on” link for the Two-step verification option.

    Enable two-step verification

  6. Click the Next button.

    Microsoft account 2FA information

  7. Click the Get it now button to download the Microsoft Authenticator app for Android or iPhone. (You can use the provided links.)

    Download Microsoft Authenticator app

  8. Sign in to the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone with your Microsoft account. (Or add the account you want to make passwordless.)

  9. On the Microsoft account page, click the Next button.

    Microsoft account 2FA setup complete

  10. Click the Finish button.

  11. Click the Next button.

    Set up phone app password

  12. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, you can turn on the passwordless option more easily on your Microsoft account.

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About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].

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Difficulty level: IntermediateHow-ToMicrosoft Account
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