Accounts Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts in Windows 11


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Sign-in_options_banner.png

You can keep your device even more secure by removing passwords when signing in to Windows 11 with Microsoft accounts on your device. All the places on your device where you use your Microsoft account and password (even your apps and browsers) will automatically switch to modern multifactor authentication with Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN.

Reference:

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts for passwordless sign-in on your Windows 11 device.


You must be signed in to a Microsoft account as an administrator to enable or disable passwordless sign-in for all Microsoft accounts on the computer.


If you turn on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device, the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer check box in netplwiz will be removed for both local accounts and Microsoft accounts.

If you turn on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device, the Remove button to remove a PIN from Microsoft accounts will be disabled.

If you turn on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device, Microsoft accounts on the computer will not have the Password or Picture password sign-in options available.



Contents

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts in Settings
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts using REG file




Option One

Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Accounts on the left side, and click/tap on Sign-in options on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Passwordless_sign-in-1.png

3 Turn On or Off (default) For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device for what you want on the right side. (see screenshots below)

The For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device setting will be grayed out if you do not have a Windows Hello (ex: PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint) sign-in option available.


Passwordless_sign-in-2.png
Passwordless_sign-in-3.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts using REG file


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 To Enable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_ON_PasswordLess_sign-in_for_Microsoft_accounts.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device]
"DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion"=dword:00000002

3 To Disable Passwordless Sign-in for Microsoft Accounts

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_OFF_PasswordLess_sign-in_for_Microsoft_accounts.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device]
"DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion"=dword:00000000

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Sign-in_options.png
    Sign-in_options.png
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  • Turn_OFF_PasswordLess_sign-in_for_Microsoft_accounts.reg
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  • Turn_ON_PasswordLess_sign-in_for_Microsoft_accounts.reg
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Last edited:

CountMike

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Brand new 22H2, I don't have that option.
1663930039542.png
 

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    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    Graphics Card(s)
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Brink

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Brand new 22H2, I don't have that option.

Hello Mike, :-)

This would be normal if you are not signed in to Windows 11 with a Microsoft account.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    1TB Samsung 980 PRO M.2,
    6TB WD Black WD6001FZWX
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    Linksys EA9500 router,
    Motorola MB8611 cable modem,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1
    CPU
    i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR4-3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

CountMike

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Hello Mike, :-)

This would be normal if you are not signed in to Windows 11 with a Microsoft account.
I get it now but still have problems with MS account. Somehow I managed to install with local account although I used Hotmail account that works fine and even managed to change password for it. I always thought that Hotmail and MS account is one and same. did something change ? Now when I try to change Local to MS account it doesn't take my Hotmail password. .
Now I tried to retrieve/change MS account password but because I tried once too many times can't do nothing until tomorrow.
All together, I think that my MS account must be alive because when I did clean install of 22H2 many things were synced with old installation which was just update from 21H2.
My other windows which are Insider dev are properly linked to MS and Hotmail account and were always with same credentials.
What's going on here ???
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    2x8GB Kingston 3600MHz, Cl 16
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-R66EAGLE-8GD (AMD Rx 6600)
    Sound Card
    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 28"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo Plus 500GB, Samsung 960 evo250GB, 3x SSD SATA 2.5" 250GB, WD 2TB HDD.
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps

Brink

Administrator
Staff member
MVP
Thread Starter
Local time
7:13 AM
Posts
8,431
Visit site
OS
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
I get it now but still have problems with MS account. Somehow I managed to install with local account although I used Hotmail account that works fine and even managed to change password for it. I always thought that Hotmail and MS account is one and same. did something change ? Now when I try to change Local to MS account it doesn't take my Hotmail password. .
Now I tried to retrieve/change MS account password but because I tried once too many times can't do nothing until tomorrow.
All together, I think that my MS account must be alive because when I did clean install of 22H2 many things were synced with old installation which was just update from 21H2.
My other windows which are Insider dev are properly linked to MS and Hotmail account and were always with same credentials.
What's going on here ???

I'm not sure if this below is still valid, but you used to be able to upgrade the old Hotmail address to Outlook.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    1TB Samsung 980 PRO M.2,
    6TB WD Black WD6001FZWX
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    Linksys EA9500 router,
    Motorola MB8611 cable modem,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1
    CPU
    i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR4-3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

CountMike

Well-known member
Power User
VIP
Local time
2:13 PM
Posts
1,427
Visit site
OS
W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
I'm not sure if this below is still valid, but you used to be able to upgrade the old Hotmail address to Outlook.

I'm OK with Hotmail. Mail still receives/sends E-mail and can be used just fine. I have Outlook program with Office 2013 but not using it.
So, Hotmail account = OK
MS account = niet. Works ut can't access
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    2x8GB Kingston 3600MHz, Cl 16
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-R66EAGLE-8GD (AMD Rx 6600)
    Sound Card
    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 28"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo Plus 500GB, Samsung 960 evo250GB, 3x SSD SATA 2.5" 250GB, WD 2TB HDD.
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps

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