Microsoft is removing a security feature from the Edge browser

The next feature update for Microsoft Edge is bringing an important change to those using the browser's built-in password manager. Over time, it grew to a very powerful tool with plenty of features, and it got to the point where Microsoft was willing to discontinue its standalone password manager and lock users into Microsoft Edge. Now, the company is making an important change to the password manager and its security.

Edge's built-in password manager lets you secure passwords and autofill with two security options: Windows Hello or a standalone password. The latter is now on its way out, as Microsoft decided to discontinue the primary password in favor of the device sign-in or Windows Hello.

Starting with Edge 146, users will no longer have the ability to create a custom primary password. However, the feature will remain available for existing users for a couple of additional months. On June 4, 2026, Microsoft will pull the plug for existing users and switch them to device authentication. Here is what the company says in the release notes for Edge 146, which is now available in the Beta Channel:

Custom primary password deprecation. In Microsoft Edge 146, users will no longer be able to create a new custom primary password in Edge Settings edge://settings/autofill/passwords/settings. Users who already have a custom primary password configured will see a warning that the feature won't be available from June 4, 2026. On June 4, 2026, any users who are still using a custom primary password will be automatically migrated to device authentication.

While the change may sound inconvenient for those who use a custom password to protect personal data in Microsoft Edge, a device-wide authentication is a much better option, considering that custom passwords are non-recoverable. Therefore, if you forget your custom password, the only way out is to delete the entire profile. Additionally, using device-wide authentication lets you use biometric sign-in with your face or fingerprint, which is safer and more convenient.

Microsoft plans to release Edge 146 on the Week of March 12, 2026. Besides discontinuing the custom password feature, Microsoft announced that Edge 150 would be the final supported version of the browser on macOS 12 Monterey.

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Posted Sunday 22 February 2026 at 3:57 am AEST (my time).

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