Forum Discussion

MS4TeePee's avatar
MS4TeePee
Iron Contributor
Jun 23, 2026

Passkeys stored in password manager - Windows instead wants mobile or hardware key

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/create-and-save-a-passkey-e92cd3e0-11fa-4630-a5ea-3ccc0396b3d9 notes that Windows passkeys can be stored in password managers. However, when I am challenged for a passkey Windows only provides two options 1) a mobile device, or 2) a physical hardware key.

Given these two exclusive options, the question is how to authenticate using passkeys stored in a password manager?

Thanks very much

3 Replies

  • Estorehf's avatar
    Estorehf
    Brass Contributor

    Ensure the passkey is created and saved to that manager on your Windows computer.

  • Yeungkkaopem's avatar
    Yeungkkaopem
    Iron Contributor

    Some password managers can generate one-time passcodes (TOTP) or support biometric authentication that can be used to unlock stored passkeys, but this depends on the integration.

    • MS4TeePee's avatar
      MS4TeePee
      Iron Contributor

      The point is that the MS interface does not provide a mechanism to respond with a passkey other than with a mobile device via QR code or a hardware key.

      That means a user has to choose a non-passkey option unless they meet the above criteria