Microsoft seems to have just released a Windows 10 preview for Fast ring Insiders that provides you with the option to make all your accounts on any particular device “passwordless” when logging into the operating system. All you need to do is just click switch in settings (under Accounts -> Sign-in options) and a password won’t work at all. You’ll also need to use Windows Hello face recognition, fingerprint detection, a PIN code or a physical security key to unlock your system. If you don’t already have Hello enabled, Microsoft will walk you though it the next time you sign in. Microsoft will be rolling out Windows 10 20H1 Build 18936 to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring, with the build including support for passwordless authentication, Phone screen support for more Surface devices, along with various other fixes.
In order to try out these new capabilities you would need a FIDO2-compatible security key. To that end we have set up a program with our partner ecosystem to test the security keys available on the market today and make sure they are compatible with this type of Microsoft implementation. For a list of fully certified FIDO2 security keys that have been tested, visit our partner page.
Today’s Windows build also adds another new option to create a quick event from the Taskbar by just clicking on the date in the taskbar menu. Users will see a calendar flyout where they can pick their desired date and set a time and location more quickly this way.
Microsoft is also expanding the availability of the phone screen feature in its Your Phone companion app to more PCs. This feature will be available on Surface Laptop and Laptop 2; Surface Pro 4, 5 and 6; Surface Book and Surface Book 2 starting with Build 18936.