Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Microsoft Edge has eliminated its Master Password feature, now requiring Windows Hello biometric authentication (fingerprint, face, or PIN) to access saved passwords.
- PCWorld reports this change, implemented June 4th, 2026, represents Microsoft’s broader shift toward passwordless security and passkey adoption.
- Windows Hello provides enhanced protection by linking authentication to the physical device rather than relying on traditional master passwords.
Microsoft has made a major change to its Edge browser, removing support for the so-called Master Password feature. The Master Password (also known as the Custom Primary Password) was a single “master password” that you had to enter before using password manager features like auto-fill and showing saved login credentials.
Going forward, saved passwords will be protected by the device’s own built-in security solutions. On Windows PCs, that means Edge will protect its passwords and auto-fills using Windows Hello (requiring either a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition), reports Windows Central.
The change was fully implemented on June 4th, 2026 and is part of Microsoft’s broader push towards passwordless logins using passkeys and biometric authentication.
According to Microsoft, Windows Hello is more secure because authentication is linked to the physical device and the user’s biometric data rather than a password that can be guessed or stolen.
We’ve previously written about why you should use Windows Hello, we’ve tested whether a photo can trick Windows Hello, and we can help you find the best Windows Hello webcams for your PC.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.