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Are You Making a Mistake Sticking with Windows Hello? Why a Third-Party Passkey Manager is a Smarter Choice.
Windows 11 now lets you use other programs to handle your passkeys. Microsoft has teamed up with popular password managers 1Password and Bitwarden. This update gives you more control over how you log into websites and apps without using a password.
What are Passkeys?
Think of a passkey as a digital key that is safer and easier than a password. You don’t have to remember anything. When you create a passkey for a website, your device or password manager creates two unique keys. One key, the public one, is stored by the website. The other key, the private one, stays safely on your device or in your password manager. To log in, you just use your fingerprint, face, or a PIN to approve it. The two keys match up to prove it’s you without ever sending a secret password that can be stolen.
Why Use a Password Manager for Passkeys?
Windows 11 has its own system called Windows Hello to manage passkeys, but it saves them on that specific device. Using a program like 1Password or Bitwarden gives you a big advantage: you can sync your passkeys across all your devices, not just your Windows computer. This means you can create a passkey on your PC and then use it on your phone or tablet. It gives you the freedom to choose your favorite manager and keep all your digital keys in one secure place.
How to Get Started
This new feature is included in the Windows November 2025 security update (KB5068861) for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. To begin using a third-party manager for your passkeys, you will need to take a few steps.
- Install the App: First, you need to install the desktop app for 1Password or Bitwarden. For Bitwarden, you may need to get the latest beta version to access this feature.
- Change Windows Settings: Go to your Windows Settings, then click on “Accounts,” and find the “Passkeys” section.
- Choose Your Manager: In the advanced passkey options, you can select your preferred manager, like 1Password or Bitwarden, to be the default.
After you set this up, you can start creating and using passkeys for websites and apps, and they will be stored securely in your chosen password manager.