Microsoft Edge is ditching master passwords in favor of a more secure way to access the password manager.
Microsoft Edge password manager has removed support for master passwords on Windows in an update that brought the browser to version 145 (via TechRadar). The Chromium-based browser will leave users with a couple of secure options that offer more protection, like passkeys through Windows Hello.
Windows Hello is simply Microsoft’s device-oriented 2FA system for Windows devices. The Edge browser now defaults to verifying the user’s identity with the built-in authentication, and won’t allow users to simply enter a password string of numbers, symbols, and letters.
Microsoft Edge’s move to ditch the traditional password is generally a positive one, as it forces users to lock their password manager data behind a secure passkey. Windows Hello allows access via PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition. For users on hardware without capable cameras or a fingerprint sensor, a PIN will likely be the only option to validate that passkey.
Still, the passkey is one of the strongest login options available. Google has famously pushed passkeys for various sites and services, though its own password manager can be accessed with a traditional password, unlike Microsoft Edge.
The Microsoft Edge 145 update rolled out on June 4, 2026.
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