Microsoft is giving its Windows Hello authentication a major facelift, introducing a modernized UI, enhanced passkeys, and third-party API integration. The overhaul, currently in beta testing, aims to provide a cleaner and more intuitive experience for users.

The new Windows Hello UI will not only appear on the Windows 11 login screen but also when using passkeys to sign into websites and apps. The redesign includes visual changes, new iconography, and improvements to passkeys, making it easier for users to switch between authentication options and select passkey/devices more intuitively.

The update also introduces a new API for third-party password and passkey managers, allowing developers to plug directly into the modern Windows Hello experience. This integration enables Windows 11 users to use passkeys from a mobile device to authenticate with apps and websites on a PC, and also supports saving passkeys to third-party apps or syncing them to a Microsoft account. With beta testing underway, the new Windows Hello UI is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users in the coming months.