Microsoft’s Bold Move: Delete Passwords to Stop Phishing Risks

Why Microsoft Wants You to Delete Passwords Now

Microsoft is taking decisive steps to eliminate traditional passwords. In just three weeks, the company will delete all saved passwords from its Authenticator app, making way for passkeys only. This move is part of a broader strategy to encourage users worldwide to delete passwords entirely—even beyond Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Despite the growing adoption of passkeys, Microsoft warns that as long as both passwords and passkeys can grant access to accounts, security remains compromised. “Even if we get our more than one billion users to enroll and use passkeys,” the company states, “the account is still at risk for phishing.”

The focus keyphrase delete passwords is central to Microsoft’s initiative to build a phishing-resistant future.

Weak Passwords Remain a Major Threat

Recent breaches underscore the urgency of this shift. A high-profile incident revealed that hackers accessed sensitive data from an AI system used by McDonald’s by simply entering “123456”—a password still ranked among the worst globally. Nordpass’s latest report confirms that “123456,” “password,” and other easily guessed combinations continue to dominate user behavior.

Security researcher Ian Carroll demonstrated just how vulnerable these systems remain. By using “123456” as both username and password, he was able to log into an AI chatbot administrator account and retrieve private applicant data including names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails.

Such breaches make Microsoft’s call to delete passwords not just a technological upgrade—but a critical security measure.

How Passkeys Improve Security

Unlike passwords, passkeys tie account access to the device itself and require secure authentication—typically via biometrics—every time. This makes them inherently resistant to phishing, bypassing, or unauthorized sharing. Passkeys also eliminate the weaknesses of two-factor authentication, which can still be intercepted or socially engineered.

According to Microsoft, replacing passwords with passkeys delivers “something faster, safer, and easier to use.” The shift isn’t just theoretical—it has begun. And it’s happening at scale.

The FIDO Alliance described Microsoft’s announcement as “a seminal milestone,” as the company prepares to take passwords “out of play” for over a billion user accounts.

A Growing Industry-Wide Shift

While Microsoft has led with its most explicit warning to delete passwords, it isn’t alone. Google and other tech giants are also pushing for passkey adoption. However, the majority of global accounts still rely on legacy login methods.

This creates a partial-security landscape: users who enroll in passkeys but continue to retain passwords are still exposed. As Microsoft makes clear, the coexistence of both methods maintains the phishing vector.

For organizations invested in digital transformation and secure access, the message is clear: deleting passwords is no longer optional—it’s urgent.

Will Your Organization Lead or Lag in Password Elimination?

Microsoft’s shift invites serious reflection: If over a billion accounts are transitioning to passwordless security, how quickly will enterprise infrastructure follow? Is your organization prepared to abandon outdated credentials in favor of truly secure, phishing-resistant authentication?

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