According to Digital Trends, Microsoft has rolled out native third-party passkey manager support in Windows 11, starting with integration for 1Password and Bitwarden. The feature requires the November 2025 security update and allows these password managers to work at the system level rather than just through browser extensions. Users can now authenticate stored passkeys using Windows Hello biometrics like fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. Microsoft confirms that support for additional password managers is already in development. This represents a significant step in Microsoft’s push toward a passwordless authentication future using the FIDO standard.
Why this matters
Here’s the thing about passkeys – they’re fundamentally different from passwords. They’re cryptographic keys bound to your device that can’t be phished, reused across sites, or stolen from cloud breaches. So when Microsoft builds this support directly into the operating system, it’s not just a convenience feature. It’s actually making your entire login experience more secure.
And let’s be honest – how many people actually use Microsoft’s built-in password manager? Most of us have already settled on 1Password, Bitwarden, or another solution we trust. Being forced to use Microsoft’s offering always felt clunky. Now you can stick with what works for you while getting that seamless system-level integration.
What it means for you
Basically, if you’re a Windows 11 user, this means fewer password resets and a much smoother sign-in experience across apps and websites. You’ll need to install the desktop tool for your preferred password manager and then head to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys > Advanced Options to enable it. Once set up, your authentication flow becomes: see login prompt, use Windows Hello to unlock your passkey, and you’re in. No typing, no remembering complex passwords.
For enterprise users, this is even bigger. IT departments can now offer employees the password managers they prefer while maintaining enterprise-grade security. And since everything ties into Windows Hello, you’re not sacrificing that biometric authentication layer that makes passkeys so secure in the first place.
The bigger picture
This move isn’t happening in isolation. Microsoft has been pushing toward passwordless authentication for years, and this Windows 11 update represents another major step. By embedding passkey support at the OS level, they’re making it increasingly difficult for attackers to exploit weaker login systems. The fact that they’re starting with 1Password and Bitwarden – two of the most popular third-party managers – shows they understand where their users actually live.
Looking ahead, this ecosystem will only expand. More password managers will join the party, and we’ll likely see deeper integration across Microsoft’s product lineup. It’s worth following developments from voices like security experts on this front to see where this technology heads next. The passwordless future isn’t coming anymore – it’s already here, and Windows 11 just became a much better citizen in that ecosystem.
