Microsoft account Passwordless setup?


win11freak

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I have a question in regards to my MS Account.

Currently i have Two Step Verification setup for my account and I want to try out the Passwordless option.

Is it ok to turn off the Two Step Verification and just only turn on the Passwordless option or BOTH have to be enabled?
 

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MSA is always passwordless by default, if you turn on that option, you will merely lose Password as 2FA.
Over the years, MS had trouble with this and people were unable to login, unless using a password.

capture_08162025_175045.webp
 

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Still a bit confused and I am sorry about this.

If I want to decide to go fully or completely Passwordless, then both two step Verification and the Passwordless option have to be enabled or can I just leave ONLY the Passwordless option turned on?
 

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You never ever want to disable 2FA, you can enable Passwordless option along with it.
Though technically Passwordless ignores 2FA, it relies on an already verified device.
 

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You never ever want to disable 2FA, you can enable Passwordless option along with it.
Though technically Passwordless ignores 2FA, it relies on an already verified device.
Many thanks for the explanation. I will then leave Two Step Verification turned on and then turn on Passwordless option when needed.

Even with just 2FA enabled only, I rarely select the Use Password option from the MS Authenticator app because all I need to do is just enter the matching number and select Approve and I am in my account.
 

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Even with just 2FA enabled only, i rarely select the Use Password option from the MS Authenticator app because all I need to do is just enter the matching number and select Approve and I am in my account.
The same here, I have not used password for years, but it is a valid 2FA option, why not keep it? Better safe than sorry.
I have once used Google as login for majority of webpages, then there was a trouble and I changed it, then I was sorry.
 

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The thing I hate about passwordless is you can't log into Safe mode without a password. Pin or face won't work in Safe Mode and if you can't log into the regular desktop to disable passwordless your screwed.
 

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Just another question hopefully it will be my last on regarding 2FA topic.

I need to setup my other phone with 2FA.

How come on the MS Account security page, it will not let me add another Send Sign-In Notification option?

I can manage to add a OTP Verification method that is ok, but will not allow to add another Send Sign In Notification option.
 
Last edited:

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How come on the MS Account security page, it will not let me add another Send Sign-In Notification option?
The notification will go simultaneously to all phones and apps, like MS Authenticator and Outlook.
 

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AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (07/24)
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ASROCK B650M-HDV/M.2 (07/24) BIOS 4.21 AGESA ComboAM5 1.3.0.1 (04/26)
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2x32GB Kingston FURY DDR5 5600 MHz CL36 @5200 CL36 (07/24)
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ASROCK Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8G @48FPS (08/24)
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Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus (05/24)
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HP Pavilion Wired Keyboard 300 (07/24) + Rabalux 76017 Parker (01/24)
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Notifier: Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Milanese (10/24)
FlexCore USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (M) to LAN (F) (08/25)
The notification will go simultaneously to all phones and apps, like MS Authenticator and Outlook.
So is that the reason why?

I have another phone with me and just installed MS Authenticator app, so if i select add Personal account then instead of scanning the QR Code I would have to then select Sign In to MS Account and I then approve the Authenticator app from the main primary phone then 2FA should be setup the correct way on the other phone using the Send Sign-In Notification option?
 
Last edited:

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then 2FA should be setup the correct way on the other phone using the Send Sign-In Notification option?
Yes, but I hope that they made it easier, last time I setup MS Authenticator on the second phone, instead of syncing with the cloud, it removed all data, it considered the newest phone as the latest sync. 🤦‍♂️
 

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Home26H2CanAMD Ryzen 5 8600G (07/24)2x32GB Kingston FURY DDR5 5600 MHz CL36 @5200...ASROCK Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8G @48FPS ...
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Home26H2Can
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (07/24)
Motherboard
ASROCK B650M-HDV/M.2 (07/24) BIOS 4.21 AGESA ComboAM5 1.3.0.1 (04/26)
Memory
2x32GB Kingston FURY DDR5 5600 MHz CL36 @5200 CL36 (07/24)
Graphics Card(s)
ASROCK Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8G @48FPS (08/24)
Sound Card
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus (05/24)
Monitor(s) Displays
24" Philips 24M1N3200ZS/00 (05/24)
Screen Resolution
1920×1080@165Hz via DP1.4
Hard Drives
Kingston KC3000 NVMe 2TB (05/24)
ADATA XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro 512GB (07/19)
PSU
Seasonic Core GM 550 Gold (04/24)
Case
Fractal Design Define 7 Mini with 3x Noctua NF-P14s/12@555rpm (04/24)
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S with Noctua NF-P12 (04/24)
Keyboard
HP Pavilion Wired Keyboard 300 (07/24) + Rabalux 76017 Parker (01/24)
Mouse
Logitech M330 Silent Plus (01/26)
Internet Speed
500/100 Mbps via RouterOS (05/21) & TCP Optimizer
Browser
Edge, Brave for YouTube, LibreWolf for FB
Antivirus
NextDNS blocking 1/3 Traffic
Other Info
Phone: Motorola Moto G86 (02/26)
Backup: Hasleo Backup Suite (PreOS)
Headphones: Sennheiser RS170 (09/10)
Chair: Huzaro Force 4.4 Grey Mesh (05/24)
Notifier: Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Milanese (10/24)
FlexCore USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (M) to LAN (F) (08/25)
OK, I will give you guys another scenario just to be on the safe side.

Let's say if I get a new phone and install Microsoft authenticator app on it then go to my Microsoft security page AFTER approving the sign in process using the MS Authenticator app from the old phone to manage the sign ins and once there, can I just TEMPORARILY turn off 2FA then removing the Send Sign-In notification option and then again turning On 2FA and re-adding the Send sign-in notification by scanning the QR code using the new phone?
 

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Edit >>> Temporarily turning off 2FA, meaning no more than ONE minute
 

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