Microsoft’s New Sign-In Glow-Up: What It Means for You
You go to log in. You type in your email. Then your password. Then your second-best password. Then you click “Forgot Password” and wait for the email that never comes. You try again with the one that has a dollar sign at the end. No luck.
Sound familiar?
We’ve all been trapped in this outdated ritual. And finally, the tech world is agreeing on something: passwords have got to go.
One of the loudest signals yet? Microsoft’s new sign-in experience, rolling out to over a billion users. But here’s the thing — this isn’t just about Microsoft’s glow-up. This is about a much bigger shift in how the internet handles identity. Passwords are on their way out, and passkeys and passwordless login are taking over.
Let’s break down what’s changing — and more importantly, why it matters for you, your website, and your users.
What’s Microsoft Doing, Exactly?
Image Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft recently began rolling out a revamped sign-in and sign-up experience across its suite of services — from Windows and Xbox to Microsoft 365 — using their sleek new Fluent 2 design language. It’s pretty, sure. But more importantly, it’s functional.
Here’s what they’ve introduced:
- A modern, streamlined UX with centered layouts, fewer screens, and less confusion.
- Dark Mode support (finally).
- A design focused around passwordless login, specifically using passkeys — a FIDO2-backed technology that replaces passwords with device-based identity verification, like Face ID, fingerprint, or a PIN tied to your device.
What used to be “enter password and maybe a code” is becoming “tap your face or fingerprint and you’re in.” That’s not just a design update — that’s a security revolution.
But It’s Bigger Than Microsoft
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Microsoft’s new sign-in sends a clear signal. But they’re not leading the charge — they’re just helping normalize what Apple, Google, and password managers like 1Password have already been building toward.
- Apple uses Face ID and Touch ID with passkeys in Safari, iCloud, and more.
- Google offers passkey sign-in for Gmail, Chrome, and Android.
- 1Password now stores passkeys across devices so users can securely log in without having to remember a single thing.
So why all the buzz now? Because Microsoft’s update brings this experience to the masses. If you’re just hearing about passkeys — welcome to the party.
What Is a Passkey, Anyway?
A passkey is a FIDO2-based credential that replaces traditional passwords. It’s cryptographically secure and tied to your device. It’s not “saved” anywhere in the way a password is — meaning it can’t be phished, reused, or brute-forced.
Here’s what happens instead:
- You go to log in.
- The site recognizes your device.
- You use Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello, or a PIN.
- Boom — you’re in.
The passkey stays on your device, encrypted and inaccessible to hackers. If someone wants to break in, they’ll need your actual face or finger. Good luck with that.
Aren’t Passwords Secure, Though?
Eh… not really.
Passwords have always had a giant target on their backs. They can be:
- Phished (tricked into handing it over)
- Reused (same password across multiple sites)
- Guessed (yes, “Password123” is still a thing)
- Stored in data breaches (and sold online)
Even the most complex password is only as secure as your ability to keep it private and remember it — which, let’s be honest, isn’t great for most people.
In contrast, passkeys:
- Can’t be reused across sites
- Can’t be stolen via phishing
- Can’t be stored in plaintext or leaked in a breach
- Are protected with biometric authentication or hardware
In short: passkeys are the Fort Knox of login credentials. And unlike passwords, they actually make your life easier.
TrevNet’s Take: Passwords Had a Good Run, But It’s Time to Let Go
We’ve been watching the slow roll of passwordless authentication for years. It started with whispers, turned into a trend, and now it’s becoming a new standard.
What we love about Microsoft’s new sign-in is that it’s finally bridging the gap between tech-savvy developers and everyday users. When your grandma can sign in to her email without resetting her password for the fifth time this week? That’s progress.
But we also know that change comes with questions, like:
- “Do I really need to ditch passwords?”
- “What if my users aren’t ready?”
- “Will this make my site more complicated?”
The short answer? Just go for it! You will be thankful in the long-run.
We genuinely think every service should be adopting this. And if you’re building a site or platform that still requires a password and a secret answer about your childhood pet? It might be time to rethink your approach.
What do you think? Are you excited for a password-free future, or still clinging to that trusty “P@ssw0rd!”? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Let’s Build the Future (Without Passwords)
Passwords are becoming the rotary phones of the internet — functional once, but not really cutting it anymore.
If you’re ready to future-proof your login experience, lower support headaches, and give your users the security they deserve, let’s talk. Whether you’re redesigning your site, launching an app, or just need a better way to keep your customers logged in and happy — we’ve got you.