Microsoft is streamlining logins for Windows, Xbox, and M365

Microsoft is currently in the process of updating the Microsoft Account (MSA) sign-in experience across the web, mobile apps, and later Windows. The goal is to make the process more modern, unified, and fit for a passwordless future, according to a post on Microsoft’s blog.

By the end of April, most users will be greeted by a new login and registration experience that involves a restructured flow, fewer elements per screen, and better scalability for different screen sizes.

One of the most significant changes is that Microsoft is now optimizing the entire consumer experience for passwordless sign-ins using passkeys. Whenever a user logs in, they’ll be prompted to create a passkey, which will then be used as the default method when logging in.

Microsoft

Without a passkey, Microsoft assumes that most people already have an email address and chooses that route by default—something that also makes it easier to reset the account if necessary. (Microsoft really wants you to add a recovery email address to your account.)

The revamped login flow has a clear Microsoft focus and aesthetic. The classic logo is placed in the center, and all services share the same background image. Buttons and links will be color-themed to match the product, but the idea is to make it more consistent whether you’re signing in to Xbox, Microsoft 365, or Outlook.

The new experience rollout is expected to be completed in April.