How to Create a Passkey for a Website in Windows 11

This article explains creating a Passkey for a Website in Windows 11.

Passkeys provide a more secure and convenient way to sign in. With passkeys, you can use Windows Hello to sign in with a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint, making the authentication process faster and more convenient.

By default, Windows offers to save the passkey locally if you’re using Windows Hello. If you select the option Use another device, you can choose to save the passkey in one of the following locations:

• This Windows device: the passkey is saved locally on your Windows device, and protected by Windows Hello (biometrics and PIN)
• iPhone, iPad or Android device: the passkey is saved on a phone or tablet, protected by the device’s biometrics, if offered by the device. This option requires you to scan a QR code with your phone or tablet, which must be in proximity of the Windows device
• Linked device: the passkey is saved on a phone or tablet, protected by the device’s biometrics, if offered by the device. This option requires the linked device to be in proximity of the Windows device, and it’s only supported for Android devices
• Security key: the passkey is saved to a FIDO2 security key, protected by the key’s unlock mechanism (for example, biometrics or PIN)

The steps below walk you through creating a passkey to log in to websites online.

Create a passkey for a website

As mentioned, users can create passkeys to log in to websites online. Not all websites support passkeys. You can use it on sites that support it.

Here’s how to do it.

First, log in to a website that supports Passkey. Once logged in, go to your account settings and create or set up a new passkey.

Click on the Create a Passkey button. This may vary depending on the sites.

You will be prompted to enter your PIN code for Windows Hello. Using passkeys only works when you have already set up Windows Hello authentication.

Click the OK button to complete the setup.

You’re all set!

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Passkeys offer a more secure and convenient way to sign in, utilizing Windows Hello for faster authentication.
• When creating a passkey for a website, users need to ensure that the website supports this feature.
• Once a passkey is set up, users can enjoy the benefits of streamlined and secure authentication on supported websites.