A passkey replaces a password. Your device creates a key pair: the private key stays on the device, and the public key is registered with the website or app. Each passkey is tied to one site or app, which makes it resistant to phishing.

Can I save a passkey somewhere other than Windows Hello?

Yes. When you save it, select Change or Save another way. You can pick a password manager, an iPhone, iPad or Android device, or a physical security key.

Why am I never asked to create a passkey?

If a site never prompts you to save a passkey, it doesn't support passkeys yet.

Create and use passkeys in Windows 11 with Windows Hello

To create a passkey in Windows 11, accept a site's offer to save one, select Continue or Create, and confirm with Windows Hello using your face, fingerprint or PIN². Later, you sign in by unlocking the same way¹. To view or delete passkeys saved on the PC, open Settings > Accounts > Passkeys³.

Before you start

Passkeys saved on the PC are unlocked with Windows Hello: your PIN, fingerprint or face^1,4. Your biometric data stays on your device and is never shared with Microsoft⁴.

Windows 11, version 22H2 with KB5030310 added native passkey management. Passkeys still work in all supported versions of Windows¹. If an option below is missing, check for updates in Windows Update⁴.

The site or app must support passkeys. If you're never asked to save one, the site doesn't support them yet². On a work or school device, your organization may limit which passkeys you can create⁴.

Steps

Start on a site that offers passkeys. When the site or app asks to save a passkey, select Continue or Create to use the suggested location. To pick another place, select Change or Save another way².
Save it to this PC. Choose Windows device / Windows Hello to keep the passkey on this PC².
Confirm with Windows Hello. Finish the save with your face, fingerprint or PIN².
Add one to a Microsoft account (optional). Sign in at account.live.com/proofs/manage. Choose Add a new way to sign in or verify, select Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key, and follow the prompts².
Sign in with the passkey. Next time you sign in to that site, approve the prompt with your face, fingerprint or PIN^1,2.
Save it to a phone instead (optional). Choose iPhone, iPad or Android device, then scan the QR code with the phone's camera. Bluetooth pairing may be needed². Both devices need Bluetooth on and an Internet connection¹.
Manage your passkeys. Open Settings > Accounts > Passkeys, or use the shortcut ms-settings:savedpasskeys³. To delete a passkey saved on the device, select the more options icon next to its name, then select Delete passkey³.

Check it worked

Open Settings > Accounts > Passkeys. The page lists the passkeys saved on your device³.

Then sign out of the site and sign back in. Windows asks for your face, fingerprint or PIN to use the passkey².

Common problems

An app can't use your passkeys. Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, apps need your consent to use passkeys. If you declined, open Settings > Privacy & security > Passkey access and turn on the switch for that app¹.

The Windows Hello option is missing. It may not appear if you already saved a passkey to a synced credential manager such as Microsoft Password Manager².

Your phone can't sign you in. Cross-device sign-in needs Bluetooth turned on and an Internet connection on both the PC and the phone¹.

A passkey still shows on your account after you delete it. Settings deletes passkeys saved on the device. For a work or school account, also delete the passkey at mysignins.microsoft.com. Microsoft account passkeys are managed from your account's security dashboard³.

Passkey settings are missing on a work PC. Your organization's IT admin may have turned this feature off³.

Questions

What is a passkey?: A passkey replaces a password. Your device creates a key pair: the private key stays on the device, and the public key is registered with the website or app. Each passkey is tied to one site or app, which makes it resistant to phishing^1,4.
Can I save a passkey somewhere other than Windows Hello?: Yes. When you save it, select Change or Save another way. You can pick a password manager, an iPhone, iPad or Android device, or a physical security key².
Why don't I see the Windows Hello option when saving?: It may not appear if you already saved a passkey to a synced credential manager such as Microsoft Password Manager².
Why am I never asked to create a passkey?: If a site never prompts you to save a passkey, it doesn't support passkeys yet².

8 Sept 2026: Published.