Digital security is a constant concern for millions of people and businesses around the world. Every time we access an online account, whether it's an email service, a social network, or a professional platform, our information is exposed to potential attacks and security breaches. Passwords have traditionally been the standard way to protect our data, but their limitations have led the technology sector to seek more robust, convenient, and secure alternatives, such as pass keys.
These types of access keys are technology designed to progressively replace passwords and revolutionize the way we access our devices, services and applications. Throughout this article, we'll explore in detail what Passkeys are, how they work in the Windows 11 ecosystem, what advantages they offer over traditional methods, how to activate, manage, and delete them, and what their future holds in the world of digital authentication.
What are Passkeys and why will they change security?
Passkeys represent a new generation of digital credentials They completely eliminate the need to memorize or write down passwords. They operate through a system based on public and private key cryptography, which links access to a secure user device and biometric methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or PIN entry.
The Passkey concept It is backed by major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple, and meets the standards defined by the FIDO Alliance, a global organization focused on eliminating insecure passwords and promoting more powerful and universal authentication solutions.
While traditional passwords can be stolen, guessed, reused across multiple services, or leaked through phishing attacks, Passkeys They are stored locally on trusted devices and cannot be easily shared or exported.This means that even if an attacker steals the public key stored on the server, they won't be able to access the account without the device that contains the private key and the corresponding biometric control.
How do Passkeys work in Windows 11?
How Passkeys work It is based on asymmetric cryptography: Every time a user creates a Passkey, their device generates two related keys: a public one (which is stored on the server of the service you want to access) and a private one (which remains securely stored on the device).
When you access a compatible website or app, instead of entering a password, the system prompts you to use your device's unlock method: facial recognition, fingerprint reader, PIN, security key, or a QR code scan from your mobile phone. The device, upon authenticating you with your biometric identity, uses the private key to sign in. This process is verified by the service using the public key, ensuring it's really you without your sensitive information traveling over the internet.
Windows 11 natively incorporates Passkey management through Windows Hello., its biometric authentication platform, and supports the full use of these keys on both compatible websites and applications. It also allows Passkeys to be synchronized or stored on other linked devices, such as smartphones or physical security keys (FIDO2).
Passkeys compatibility on Windows 11
Microsoft has opted to provide maximum compatibility for this technology. Passkeys are available in major versions of Windows 11: Pro, Enterprise, Pro Education/SE, and Education. Additionally, all licenses with rights to these editions support their use, extending to Insider channels and future stable updates.
Integration is also complete with the main browsers on the market (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox –with limited support– and Safari) and with leading services such as Google, Amazon, Apple, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, X (Twitter) and many more. Compatibility will gradually increase as more platforms adopt the FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards..
What advantages do Passkeys offer over passwords?
Passkeys have emerged to solve multiple problems with conventional passwords. Among their most notable advantages are:
- Increased security against phishing attacks and data breaches: Passkeys only work on the domain for which they were created and cannot be fooled by fake websites. The private key It is never transmitted, which reduces the risk of credential theft.
- No need to remember or manage complex password combinations: Biometric or PIN authentication simplifies login and eliminates the stress of password management.
- Fast and fluid access across multiple devices: Passkeys can be synchronized between different devices within the same ecosystem (Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc.), making it easy to switch between computers, mobile phones, or tablets without losing security.
- Enhanced privacy: Biometric data never leaves the device, as verification is performed locally and not shared with the service. This further protects your digital identity.
- They reduce the cost and maintenance time for users and companies: Password recovery processes disappear and the chances of falling victim to global breaches decrease.
Thanks to all these strengths, Passkeys are poised to become the authentication standard in the next decade, displacing traditional passwords on most platforms.
Current drawbacks and limitations of Passkeys
While they offer many advantages, Passkeys are not exempt from certain drawbacks today:
- Partial adoption: Many services and applications still do not support Passkeys, which forces us to live with mixed systems (passwords and access keys) for a while.
- Limited access recovery: If you lose all the devices where your Passkey is stored and you haven't set up alternative recovery methods, it can be difficult to restore access to your accounts.
- Dependence on ecosystems or managers: Some implementations rely on iCloud, Google Password Manager, or Windows Password Manager itself, which can be inconvenient for those switching platforms.
- Learning curve for some users: Although it is simple to use, it can be confusing for those who have been managing passwords and traditional methods for decades.
Despite this, the trend is for these obstacles to disappear as the digital ecosystem advances and matures, and new synchronization and recovery options emerge.
Difference between Passkeys and Passwords: Why are they more secure?
Passkeys rely on asymmetric cryptography to authenticate the user's identity. without ever exposing your private keyPasswords, on the other hand, are strings of text that can be stolen, replicated, or leaked relatively easily if the security of the service is compromised.
Each Passkey is unique to the service or application for which it is created and is protected by the device's biometric control. The private key is never stored on the server, making it unreachable by an external attacker. In traditional systems, a stolen password can be used in multiple places, but a single Passkey It will never be valid outside the ecosystem for which it was generated..
Types of Passkeys and where they are stored
The Passkeys ecosystem mainly distinguishes between two modalities:
- Multi-device Passkeys (synced): They are stored and synchronized across different devices linked to the same cloud account (Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc.). This allows the same password to be used on multiple devices conveniently and securely.
- Passkeys linked to device: They are exclusive to a single device and cannot be exported or copied to other devices. This type offers extra protection and is often used in business environments or when security policies require strict access control.
Windows 11 allows you to save Passkeys locally on your PC, on a mobile phone (Android, iPhone, or iPad), on nearby Bluetooth-paired devices, or on physical security keys like FIDO2. Users can choose the option that best suits their security level and desired convenience.
How to enable and use Passkeys in Windows 11
The process to create, activate and use a Passkey in Windows 11 is much simpler than it seems.. It is recommended to use Windows Hello To manage biometric authentication, follow these general steps:
- Open a Passkeys-compatible website or app.
- Create a password from the service's login options, following its instructions.
- Choose your preferred verification method: facial recognition, fingerprint, PIN, or physical security key.
- Complete biometric authentication or enter your PIN when prompted.
- Select where to store the Passkey: locally on your PC (protected by Windows Hello), on your mobile (using the on-screen QR scan), on a nearby paired device (Bluetooth), or on a FIDO2 security key.
- Save the key and confirm that it has been stored correctly.
From that moment on, every time you log in to a compatible website or app, you can do so using your Passkey and biometrics, forgetting about passwords and the associated risks.
Manage, view, and delete Passkeys in Windows 11
Managing passwords is a very intuitive process in Windows 11. The System Configuration application includes a specific panel to manage all the Passkeys stored on the PC.To access it, you must follow the route:
- Windows button → Settings → Accounts → Passwords (or, in some versions, Sign-in options → Passwords).
From this panel you can:
- View the list of all stored Passkeys on the team and filter them by name.
- Delete passwords you no longer need, by clicking on the three-dot icon to the right of the key and selecting the corresponding option.
This feature is especially useful for keeping your security up to date in case you change devices or stop using a specific service. The deletion process is irreversible, so it's a good idea to be sure before erasing a Passkey.
Use across multiple services and devices
One of the great advantages of Passkeys is the possibility of using them on a wide variety of leading services and platforms.Companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and many more already support password authentication on their systems.
To generate a Passkey for a specific service (e.g., Google), simply go to your account settings, find the security option, and under "How to access your account," select the option to create a new passkey. The service will guide you step by step, choosing the authentication method (biometrics, PIN, or physical security key) until the operation is complete.
Passwords can be synced across devices using cloud-based password managers (Google Password Manager, iCloud Keychain on Apple, Windows Password Manager, etc.), providing the flexibility to access them from mobile, tablet, or any compatible PC.
Passkeys in professional environments and companies
Adoption not only benefits individual users, but also represents a qualitative leap in corporate security.Device-linked access keys (which cannot be exported or copied) are ideal for companies with very strict data protection requirements.
Microsoft is working to expand support for third-party credential providers (such as 1Password, Bitwarden, etc.), allowing companies to choose between the native Windows Hello system or external integrations using the WebAuthn API (the specifications and source code for which are already available to developers).
Using Passkeys in environments where Bluetooth access is restricted is possible through advanced system configuration, allowing communication only with Passkey-enabled FIDO2 authenticators. This is regulated through specific security policies and automated configuration scripts (especially relevant in large organizations).
Recovery and options for lost devices
One of the most frequently asked questions is what happens if you lose your trusted device. (mobile, computer, security key, etc.). Most platforms that support Passkeys include recovery mechanisms: from using another linked device, through one-time recovery codes, to the ability to restore the key through secondary authentication.
In any case, it's highly recommended to always set up backup devices and alternative authentication methods to avoid losing access to your digital accounts.
The future of Passkeys: constant innovation and new possibilities
Passkeys are constantly evolving and experts predict that in the coming years they will not only replace classic passwords, but They will multiply the verification options, combining biometrics, brainwave authentication, heartbeats, or even DNA.The implementation of technologies like blockchain could promote “self-sufficient identity,” where each user has complete control over their login details and digital identity.
Additionally, Passkeys' ability to be used across all operating systems, browsers, and devices ensures a seamless, universal experience, improving usability and overall security.
FAQs
- Can I still use passwords if I enable Passkeys? For most services, yes. The transition is gradual, allowing both systems to coexist for a while. However, it's likely that only Passkey authentication will be supported in the future.
- Can Passkeys be hacked? Its architecture is designed to prevent direct attacks: the private key never leaves the device and is protected by biometrics. It would only be vulnerable if the attacker had physical access and completely unlocked your device.
- Can I use the same Passkey on different services? No. Each Passkey is uniquely generated for the specific service or application. They are not shared across different platforms.
- What happens if I change my operating system or key manager? It depends on the ecosystem in which you store your Passkeys. If you sync them to the cloud (Microsoft, Google, Apple), you can restore them when you change devices. If you use a local manager, you'll need to export them or generate new Passkeys.
- Are they recommended for all users? Despite the learning curve and limitations in some services, Passkeys are the current recommendation for any user seeking maximum security and convenience in their digital life.
Innovations for developers and integration
Developers now have a growing ecosystem to deploy Passkeys on websites and apps. There are libraries, SDKs and APIs (such as SimpleWebAuthn, WebAuthn4J or OwnID) that facilitate integration and manage cryptography transparently. Microsoft, Google, and Apple provide documentation and support for implementing Passkeys in cloud authentication solutions and mobile or web applications, accelerating the global transition to a passwordless world.
As adoption continues, Passkeys will become the standard for secure, fast, and frictionless access to all of our digital services.
The arrival of Passkeys in Windows 11 marks the beginning of a new era in digital identity management. Passwords, with all their risks and limitations, are giving way to a much more secure, simpler, and more efficient system. The combination of advanced cryptography, biometric authentication, and compatibility with major password managers and platforms offers a robust solution for both home users and businesses. While the transition will be gradual and challenges remain, the password-free digital future is already here, and Windows 11 is at the forefront of leading this change.