Microsoft testing Windows 11 support for third-party passkeys

Microsoft is now testing WebAuthn API updates that add support for support for using third-party passkey providers for Windows 11 passwordless authentication.

Passkeys use biometric authentication, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, to provide a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords, thus significantly reducing data breach risks.

Redmond has been collaborating with credential providers like 1Password, Bitwarden, and others since early October when it first announced that it would create a new plugin authentication model for passkeys in Windows.

As the company revealed today, users will soon have the option to choose from third-party passkey providers in addition to the native Windows one for authentication through Windows Hello using the same passkey you created on a mobile device.

"We are releasing updates to WebAuthn APIs to support a plugin authentication model for passkeys," the Windows Insider team said today.

"In the coming months, Windows customers will be able to choose a third-party provider as an additional choicealongside the native Windows passkey provider while maintaining the Windows Hello user experience.

"Messages in WebAuthn flows will be forwarded to the plugin and responses are returned to the WebAuthn client applications. This enables plugins to create and authenticate with passkeys when requested by the customer."

These updates are rolling out today to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who install Preview Build 22635.4515 (KB5046756). Redmond also asked customers using the new feature to share feedback on the Feedback Hub platform under the Privacy > Passkey category.

Microsoft has also released source code to help developers create their own plugins to support their own passkey platforms.

The company joined the FIDO Alliance and other major platforms to support passkeys as a standard passwordless sign-in method, endorsing Web Authentication (WebAuthn) credentials (also known as FIDO credentials).

Most recently, in May, Redmond rolled out support for passkey authentication for personal Microsoft accounts after adding a built-in passkey manager for Windows Hello with the Windows 11 22H2 feature update.

Today, Microsoft also started rolling out the ability to resume working on OneDrive files from iOS and Android phones on Windows 11 PCs running the latest Windows 11 Beta Preview build for Insiders.

In a separate announcement, the company also introduced Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview), an in-game web browser optimized for PC gaming that will appear on top of your game in Game Bar.

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