Latest news with #EdgeBrowser
Washington Post
01-08-2025
- Washington Post
Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill soon. How to set up a passkey before Aug. 1
NEW YORK — If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, like me, you've probably received at least one notice that the app's password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be inaccessible starting Aug. 1 unless you have the Edge browser. Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys .
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft (MSFT) Unveils AI-Powered ‘Copilot Mode' for Edge Browser
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the . On July 28, the company announced the launch of a new 'Copilot Mode' for its Edge browser. The Copilot Mode leverages artificial intelligence to improve the browsing experience for its users, helping carry out tasks, organize browsing, and even compare results across tabs without the need to switch between. According to Microsoft, the new feature will enable users to see a page with a single input box combining chat, search, and web navigation features. Moreover, Copilot will also support voice navigation for browsing in Edge. While not available at the moment, users will also be able to permit Copilot to access additional browser context, such as user history and credentials, to take more actions shortly. A hacker on his laptop. Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels It will also be able to access browsing content when enabled, or even provide visual cues to allow users to know when it is active in the background. It will be available at no cost across Copilot markets in Windows and Mac PCs for a limited time. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) provides AI-powered cloud, productivity, and business solutions, focusing on efficiency, security, and AI advancements. While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Yahoo
Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill. Here's how to set up a passkey instead
If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, you've probably received at least one notice that the app's password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be inaccessible starting Aug. 1 unless you have the Edge browser. Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys. 'Last year (2024), we observed a staggering 7,000 password attacks per second (more than double the rate from 2023),' Microsoft wrote in a blog post. 'Although passwords have been around for centuries, we hope their reign over our online world is ending'. Authenticator has been a staple in providing multi-factor authentication, one-time passwords, and biometric logins for services and some websites. Although the app will continue to provide authentication for passkey-compatible services, it is pushing its password management and autofill functions out to the company's Edge browser instead. Related Microsoft to make Notre-Dame 'digital twin' and boost its European languages for its AI models Note that not all websites and applications have adopted passkeys yet, so many places still rely on passwords. If you haven't yet moved to a different password manager system or set up your passkeys, we're here to help. How to generate a passkey in Authenticator Passkeys do away with complex 14 character passwords because you never need to see them. Instead you are using existing biometrics like your face or fingerprints, digital patterns, or PINs to access your accounts. Passkeys are made up of two parts of a code that only makes sense when they're combined, kind of like a digital key and padlock. You keep half of the encrypted code, typically stored either in the cloud with a compatible verification app – including Authenticator – or on a physical security dongle. The other half is stored on the participating apps, services or accounts you want to access. The bad news? You do have to set up individual passkeys for each service or application that accepts them. Keeping track of where you can use them versus traditional passwords can be challenging. If you've opened Authenticator in the last few months, you likely were prompted to set up a passkey through a guided experience. Related How long could it take a hacker to crack one of your passwords in 2025? If you didn't receive such a prompt, you can set up a new passkey by opening the authenticator app on your device. Find and tap on your account, then select 'set up a passkey' option. Follow the app's instructions. Accessing old passwords in Edge The good news is that all of your old passwords are synced to your Microsoft account. But to access them after Aug. 1, you will need to first install the Edge browser on your device of choice (and log into it). For iOS users, navigate to Settings General Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge. Android users click their way to Settings General management Passwords and autofill Autofill service and select Edge. Laptop and desktop users will need to open Edge and navigate to Settings Profiles Passwords. There you should find an autofill toggle and another option to save new passwords to your account. Related Superman? Spider-Man? Hello Kitty? Study reveals most hackable pop-culture password Downloading your passwords to use in a password manager Firstly, check out our advice on selecting and using password managers. There are many services – paid and free – out there and options to consider. Now to export your Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device then navigate to Settings Export Passwords. This will spit out an exported file containing your data. Most of the password managers out there – including those built into other browsers, or Apple and Android's own key ring apps – will have an import option, which should accept this file. If you're having difficulty with the import, it's best to consult their customer service lines for help.
The Verge
28-07-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft Edge transforms into an AI browser with new Copilot Mode
Microsoft is starting to test a new experimental Copilot Mode inside its Edge browser today. The AI-powered mode allows Copilot to search across all your open tabs and handle tasks like booking a restaurant, and it brings the Copilot chatbot to your new tab page. Copilot Mode is somewhere between the limited Gemini integration that Google is testing in Chrome and the AI-powered overhaul that Comet offers with its AI browser. You can let Copilot see all your open tabs so you can ask it to compare a bunch of hotels you might be looking at or help summarize the best purchase from multiple product tabs. Copilot in Edge also supports voice navigation to locate information on a website or to open tabs with products to compare. Microsoft is also planning to let Copilot, with your permission, access your Edge browser history and credentials so the chatbot can book reservations on your behalf. These new Copilot features in Edge build on the existing integration of Microsoft's AI assistant in its browser and the work the company has been doing with Copilot Vision. 'Copilot will soon be able to guide you in your tasks and organize your browsing — past and present — into helpful, topic-based journeys,' says Sean Lyndersay, vice president of product for Microsoft Edge. For those not interested in this AI-powered mode in Edge, Microsoft says it will be optional and you'll be able to disable it. 'With Copilot Mode, you can also choose to turn the experience on and off as you wish through your Edge settings,' Lyndersay says. 'If you choose not to turn on Copilot Mode, you can continue to browse on Edge as usual.' Microsoft is calling Copilot Mode an 'experimental' feature that will evolve over time. It's also 'free for a limited time,' with usage limits on certain Copilot features. This suggests that Microsoft will eventually tie this new mode to some kind of subscription. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Tom Warren Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All AI Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Microsoft Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Web
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Microsoft Will Delete Your Passwords on August 1. Here's What You Need to Do Now
If you use Microsoft Authenticator, you've probably noticed that the app looks a little different. While the authenticator app's interface is still intuitive and easy to navigate, when you tap on the Passwords section, the difference is clear. An on-screen notification explains that Authenticator's password management features are no longer available. So, where is all of your personal data now, and how will you be able to access it in the future? Don't panic–most of your data will not be deleted. In keeping with Microsoft's pledge for a passwordless future, you can still store your passkeys in the Authenticator app. That said, the company rolled your passwords and saved addresses over to the new, AI-enhanced version of the Edge browser in early July. Starting August 1, Microsoft will delete any payment data in the app, so you'll need to move quickly there. Below, I'll explain how to set up the Edge browser's password management functions, but if you want to switch to a third-party password manager like Editors' Choice winners NordPass and Proton Pass, now is a good time. I've reviewed dozens of password managers, and I'll give you my top recommendation for a free substitute for Microsoft Authenticator. Your Passwords Moved to Edge: Here's How to Use Them As mentioned above, Microsoft moved your addresses and passwords to your Microsoft account page and Edge. To use the browser as a password manager on your phone, download the app, then visit your phone's Settings menu. If you're using an iOS device, go to Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge. People who are using Android devices should go to Settings > General management > Passwords and autofill > Autofill service > Edge. How to Transfer Your Old Passwords to a New App To export your Microsoft Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device, then navigate to Settings > Export Passwords, and save your export file to your device or cloud storage. If you want to start using a new password manager app, I wrote a detailed guide for switching password managers. Check out that article for more, but here's the short version: Download a new password manager app on your preferred device. On the app dashboard, tap the Import button. Upload your Microsoft Authenticator backup file. The good news is that you won't sacrifice any functionality with modern password management apps because, in addition to password generation and filling, they can generate MFA codes, just like an authenticator app. Editors' Choice Proton Pass is my top recommendation for people who are looking for a free password manager. I like the app because, in addition to storing passwords and payment info, you can use it to create masked email addresses, so you can cut down on spam in your inbox, or give out a different email address when signing up for newsletters. Should You Delete Microsoft Authenticator? No, don't delete Microsoft Authenticator yet! You can still use the app to generate multi-factor authentication codes and store passkeys. If you're determined to move to a new authentication method, Microsoft doesn't make it easy. You can't export or transfer your tokens to a new app. Instead, you'll need to delete the authenticator from each of your accounts and then attach a new app or hardware security key. The password management functions were unique to the Microsoft Authenticator app. Even Editors' Choice-winning apps like 2FAS and Aegis Authenticator didn't serve up those capabilities. I'm sad to see those features go, but, on the bright side, if you're a current Microsoft Authenticator user, you no longer need to login to use the app, because the address book, password management, and payment storage features all require a Microsoft account. The PCMag security team constantly serves up online privacy and safety tips, so subscribe to SecurityWatch, our weekly newsletter. In the meantime, learn about the many ways a password manager can save your relationships.
