Microsoft is testing a new security feature for Windows 10 S, a stripped-down version of Windows 10 that only runs Windows Store titles, that would allow customers to use Microsoft’s Authenticator app for iPhone as a password replacement.
As noted in Microsoft’s release notes accompanying the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build version 17093, customers will be able to set up their PC in a way that replaces login passwords with authorization through the Authentication app.
This will let you go through the out-of-box experience, set up Windows Hello and access all your favorite apps and services, all without ever having to enter your password.
“Starting with this build, your Windows 10 S PC will automatically make your experience password-free,“ said the Redmond software giant. Those who have the Windows Hello feature set up won’t see passwords anywhere in the Windows experience.
Other changes in Windows 10 Insider Preview include various improvements related to the Game bar, diagnostic data, graphics (HDR video is coming to more PCs), new graphics settings for multi-GPU systems, Eye Control enhancements, new Windows Security and Bluetooth features, new features in the Edge browser and much, much more.
The Authenticator app, a free download from App Store, lets you generate authentication codes for hassle-free logging into Microsoft’s services protected by two-factor authentication.
You don’t even have to type in a six-digit code manually: as soon as you log in to a Microsoft service like Outlook from a new device, a rich notification pops up on your iPhone allowing you to approve the request with a single tap, no typing required.
As noted by Thurrot.com on Friday, Microsoft’s internal roadmap indicates that Windows 10 S will at some point in the future be included as its own mode for all versions of Windows 10.
Home and Education SKUs will be able to upgrade from Home S to Home for free, but going from Pro S to Pro will cost $49. On the commercial side, Pro S is only available with Core, Value, Entry and Small Tablet, with Core+ and Workstations being left out of the offering.