Microsoft wanted to give a push to passwordless authentication. Now he will support, dear, third-party key management applications. This allows you to use secure authentication mechanisms that use FIDO2/WebAuthn and thus avoid the need to use traditional passwords. An option that is welcomed by many users as it provides more flexibility.
At the moment, yes, compatibility will be limited. Microsoft explained the development via its corporate blog in a post dated November 11. Initially, there will be compatibility with 1Password and Bitwarden, two of the most popular password managers. The list will expand to cover more.
Easier authentication without a password in Windows
Microsoft’s goal is to do just that authentication is easier without a password in Windows 11. This new feature appeared thanks to the latest Windows update in November 2025. It now allows you to work with third-party key managers and offer this feature to your users.
These systems use public key (stored on the server) and private key (stored on the device) cryptography for identification, rather than using a password. When a user accesses a web page or program that supports this security measure, Windows generates a key pair. The private key will be stored in these third-party programs such as 1 Password o Bitwardenas well as Microsoft Password Manager. Bitwarden announced the Windows integration on its blog.
It allows speed up login. From now on, the user will be able to log in via biometric authentication (eg fingerprint), PIN or Windows Hello. It’s a more secure option against problems like phishing than traditional passwords.
Microsoft has already made it clear several times that it wants to end traditional passwords. Now they’ve gone even further with the ability to use third-party key managers to manage this access.
He also integrated password manager Microsoft Edge as an add-on for Windows. It allows users to choose which password manager to choose.
Comparison of compatible heads
| A feature | 1 Password | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory version | v8.9 or higher (stable) | Beta (via GitHub) |
| Cross-platform synchronization | Yes (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux) | Yes (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux) |
| Authentication method | Integrated with Windows Hello | Integrated with Windows Hello |
Safer and more convenient
The first advantage of using access codes is that they are safer than using a traditional password. Having two separate cryptographic keys requires both to be paired in order to have access. It is less vulnerable to computer attacks such as phishing.
The security of access codes is based on the standard FIDO2/WebAuthnwhich is FIDO Alliance certified. This system uses public-key cryptography, where the private key never leaves the user’s device, thus eliminating vulnerabilities to traditional attacks such as phishing, as detailed by the FIDO Alliance itself in its white paper.
But we also have to talk about comfort and speed to find out. A prime example is fingerprint access to mobile apps. Instead of entering a long and complicated password every time, you just need to put your finger on the screen and we can log into your bank account, social network, etc.
In short, Microsoft is taking another step to offer alternatives to traditional passwords and now has integration with third-party passwords. For now, it will be available for Bitwarden and 1Password, but it will be available for others as well.
Frequently asked questions 1Password and Bitwarden are currently supported. You can use fingerprints, facial recognition, voice recognition, or physical devices. It is a digital authentication method that replaces traditional passwords. They use a pair of cryptographic keys (one public and one private) to log in, making them much more secure against attacks and leaks.
Which programs support the use of passwords in Windows?
What are the password login methods?
What are access codes?
