How to Remove a Passkey from Your Microsoft Account
Removing a passkey from your Microsoft account deletes that sign-in method and blocks access to your Microsoft 365 or Copilot apps. Passkeys are hardware-backed security keys or phone locks that let you sign in without a password.
You need to remove a passkey if you lose your security key, misplace your phone, or think someone else got access to your hardware.
Visit your Microsoft account’s Advanced Security Options page. Under “Ways to prove who you are,” expand “Use a passkey,” select the passkey, and click “Remove.” This prevents unauthorized access if your security key is lost or stolen.
Why Remove a Passkey?
Act quickly if hardware goes missing or unauthorized access seems possible.
Revoking compromised credentials immediately blocks unauthorized entry across connected Microsoft services.
How to Remove a Passkey from Your Microsoft Account
Follow these steps to revoke an active passkey.
- Visit the Advanced Security Options page.
- Look for “Ways to prove who you are.”
- Find and expand the “Use a passkey” tile.
- Select the passkey you want to remove.
- Click Remove.
Revocation is now complete.
What Happens When You Remove a Passkey?
Revoked credentials will no longer work for sign-ins, so you must use another verification method next time.
Summary
Clearing out unused or missing passkeys safeguards your profile against unauthorized sign-in attempts.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
I’ve heard people remove their passkeys then can’t get into their own accounts. Removing the passkey does not stop them from requiring authentication.