Microsoft backs passwordless push as passkeys hit billions

World Passkey Day marks a push to cut reliance on passwords and phishable authentication by accelerating passkey adoption, as cyberattacks become more automated and AI-powered. Passwords remain a major risk, with phishing still a concern; Microsoft says it is expanding passkey adoption across its ecosystem to reduce legacy authentication and strengthen account recovery.

Passkey adoption is growing industry-wide, with the FIDO Alliance estimating five billion passkeys in use worldwide, and Microsoft notes hundreds of millions of sign-ins with passkeys across its consumer services. Inside Microsoft, weaker authentication methods have been eliminated and phishing-resistant authentication now covers 99.6% of users and devices, delivering a simpler sign-in experience with no codes or extra prompts.

Looking ahead, Entra passkeys on Windows will be generally available in late May 2026, and passkey-focused recovery and identity verification features are expanding, with new partners joining the ecosystem; according to Microsoft Digital Defense Report, these steps are part of a broader move to a passwordless, phishing-resistant future.