Microsoft Password Deletion Begins in Six Weeks — Are You Ready?
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The countdown has begun. Starting late July 2025, Microsoft password deletion will no longer be a theoretical shift; it becomes a reality. If you’re using a Microsoft account and have already embraced a passwordless sign-in method — such as biometrics or passkeys — Microsoft will begin permanently deleting your saved passwords. This includes credentials stored in Edge, Windows Hello, and Microsoft Authenticator. The move is part of a larger strategy to eliminate passwords altogether, following growing concerns about phishing, data breaches, and credential theft. While it’s a step forward for security, many users still rely on these stored passwords — and if you’re one of them, you’ll need to act fast to avoid losing access or scrambling to recover critical login information.
What’s Changing?
Microsoft is rolling out an automatic deletion process for saved passwords linked to Microsoft accounts. This change only affects users who no longer use a password to log in. If you’ve switched to a passkey, fingerprint, facial recognition, or another passwordless method, your old stored passwords will be deleted from:
- Microsoft Edge browser
- Windows Hello login system
- Microsoft Authenticator app
You won’t get a second chance to recover them once the deletion takes place. Microsoft has confirmed that this will roll out gradually, but it’s best to prepare now.
You would be interested in reading: Google Chrome Embraces Passkeys for Enhanced Security Across Devices – The Review Hive
Why Is Microsoft Deleting Passwords?
Passwords are one of the biggest vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. Even strong passwords can be phished or leaked in breaches. Most users:
- Reuse the same password across platforms
- Create simple, easy-to-guess passwords
- Forget them and rely on browsers to remember
Microsoft’s new direction supports FIDO2 authentication standards — a global movement toward safer, faster, and passwordless access. With passkeys, authentication becomes device-bound and nearly impossible to phish. Microsoft reports over 100 million users have already made the switch.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re using services like Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Xbox, or logging into Windows with a Microsoft account, here’s how this update impacts you:
- If you’ve enabled passwordless login, your stored passwords will be automatically deleted
- If you’re still using a password, this deletion won’t apply yet — but change is coming
- You’ll get notifications from Microsoft about the transition ahead of the deletion
- Once deleted, there’s no recovery mechanism — the credentials are gone for good
This is Microsoft’s way of nudging users toward more secure and modern login methods.
Read: Microsoft Cyberattack Report 2024 – The Review Hive
What You Should Do Right Now
Here’s a simple action checklist to stay ahead of the change:
✅ Visit your Microsoft account settings
Log in at account.microsoft.com and review your sign-in options.
✅ Switch to passkeys if you haven’t already
Enable Windows Hello, Microsoft Authenticator, or other biometric methods to futureproof your account.
✅ Export or back up any saved credentials
Use a trusted third-party password manager to save credentials that might get deleted.
✅ Watch for Microsoft notifications
Make sure you don’t miss the alert about when the deletion begins for your account.
You would also be interested in reading: Google Chrome Security Update: Why You Must Update Your Browser Now – The Review Hive
Why the Industry Is Moving Toward Passkeys
Microsoft isn’t alone. Google and Apple are making similar moves, integrating passkey logins across devices and services. The goal is a safer digital environment where login credentials can’t be stolen, phished, or cracked.
Passkeys:
- Are based on public-key cryptography
- Never leave your device
- Can’t be reused or shared
- Offer seamless, secure login without the risk of human error
This change is not just about security; it’s about simplifying digital access across all platforms.
To Sum Up
The shift is happening fast. Microsoft password deletion is just one part of a global push to kill the password — and with good reason. Traditional login credentials are no longer enough to keep attackers out. Whether you’re managing personal or business accounts, switching to passkeys now means fewer risks later.
Take five minutes today to check your login settings. What you do now could save you a lot of stress later.
Your passwords will disappear. Will you be ready when they do?
