FIDO2 Unleashes Windows Authentication

• Windows 10 now supports a range of portable authentication devices that can be used for password-free authentication to the OS and applications.
• The features enable users to quickly switch between multiple Windows 10 devices in a work day.
• Organizations can test the technology today but will have to wait for Azure Active Directory support before deploying broadly.

Support for new standards-based portable authentication devices will enable Windows 10 to support password-free authentication to Windows, applications, and Web sites and services by users who roam among multiple Windows 10 devices.

Existing Windows 10 Alternatives to Passwords

Signing in to Windows in a secure manner usually requires the use of a username and password combination that is validated by Active Directory, or more recently Azure Active Directory (AAD). Passwords create security risks (such as phishing and other methods of password theft) and ongoing costs, particularly for resetting forgotten passwords.