Microsoft Edge users can now save and synchronize passkeys via Microsoft Password Manager.
The ability to create passkeys in Microsoft Edge is not new. However, Microsoft limited this feature to a single device. Did you save a passkey on your home computer? Then you couldn’t use it on your phone. This is now changing with the new version 142 of Edge.
The stored key in your Microsoft Password Manager is now also available on other Windows devices, provided the user authenticates with the same PIN. The feature is being gradually rolled out in version 142 of Edge on Windows devices and requires a Microsoft account.
Password Keys
Passkeys are considered a secure alternative to traditional passwords. They use unique cryptographic keys that are stored locally on a device. These keys are also linked to biometric data such as facial recognition or fingerprints.
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This method uses FIDO2 technology and works via public and private keys. The private key remains on the user’s device, while the website only gets access to the public key.
Synchronization Available
Within Microsoft Edge, it is now possible to synchronize passkeys. The passkeys are stored in encrypted form in the cloud. When synchronizing to a new device, a maximum of ten attempts are allowed to enter the correct PIN.
The feature is currently available in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and higher. There are plans to expand support to other platforms and applications. A plug-in will also make it possible to use the passkeys outside Edge, for example in other browsers or Windows apps.
To use the feature, users need Microsoft Edge version 142 or higher, a Windows device, and a Microsoft account.