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Microsoft Will Wipe Out Your Passwords on Aug. 1. What to Do Now

The clock’s ticking to find a new password manager other than Microsoft Authenticator.

Microsoft is getting rid of passwords in less than two weeks. 

On Aug. 1, the Microsoft Authenticator app will no longer store or manage passwords, which could be a problem for a lot of users. Microsoft Authenticator has been one of the best password managers for years. You were able to save passwords, enable two-factor authentication and auto-fill. This change means that if you’re using the Authenticator app as a password manager, you’ll need to look for another option soon.  

At the same time, Microsoft will move to passkeys instead. 

Using a passkey as a login means you’ll use PINs, fingerprint scans, facial recognition or a pattern on a device’s lock screen. It’s a safer option compared to the risky password habits. A CNET survey found that 49% of US adults have bad password habits. Having an insecure password can put you at risk of having your information exposed. 

If you’ve been using Microsoft Authenticator, now’s the time to start making changes. Here’s what to know about the switch and the best password managers CNET recommends. 

When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.

Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert.

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.

Other password manager alternatives 

Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several. 

The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator. 

Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too. 

Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden. 

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Technologies

Here’s What the FCC’s Latest Move Actually Means for DJI Drone Owners and Holiday Shoppers

The secret to a very un-merry Christmas? A brand new, unusable DJI drone.

If you’ve been casually adding a DJI drone to your holiday wish list, you might want to hit «buy» immediately. The company issued a stark warning on Monday: its drones could be banned from sale in the US, and the deadline is looming.

Here’s the deal: The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 just voted to «close loopholes» that allow tech deemed a «national security risk» to be sold in the US. In plain English, the US government is clearing the path to give DJI the same treatment it gave Huawei-effectively banning their products from the American market.

DJI is already sounding the alarm, posting on Instagram that a «deadline that could decide DJI’s fate in the US is just 43 days away.» The company is warning that without an audit, its products could face an «automatic ban.» The US government has long labeled the Chinese drone maker a security risk, and it looks like the hammer might finally be coming down right before the holidays.

The US government has deemed DJI, based in China, a security risk. It’s also considering a separate ban on TP-Link routers.

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The vote isn’t the end of the road, however. Future bans would need to target specific products and would require a period of public consultation. But it appears the groundwork is being set for the FCC to block sales of future and some existing DJI drones from US shores, as well as products that use DJI technology.

The government has called for a DJI audit by the end of the year, but if that doesn’t happen, DJI drone products could be banned for sale by default under a national security law.

DJI asks for a security audit before any ban

A representative for DJI told CNET that while the FCC vote references a rule change that doesn’t currently apply to DJI specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act deadline in December would put Chinese companies like it on the FCC’s ban list, «without any evidence of wrongdoing or the right to appeal.»

Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, said the company has repeatedly said it would be open to audit, but that «more than 10 months have now passed with no sign that the process has begun.» 

«The US government has every right to strengthen national security measures, but this must go hand in hand with due process, fairness, and transparency,» Welsh said.

Welsh said DJI is urging the government to start the audit process or grant an extension.

Will DJI drone owners need to give them up?

Because the ban would apply to new sales, not drones that have already been sold, a DJI drone you already own would still be legal to use — at least under current rules. 

Government agencies, however, are prohibited from purchasing or using drones from Chinese companies, including DJI.

DJI’s drones consistently rank high in their product category. In January, they dominated CNET’s list of best drones for 2025. But some of the company’s newest products, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, haven’t been available for sale in the United States.

Even DJI products that are not yet banned may be hard to find. The website UAV Coach has posted a guide to the bans and reports that, due to inventory issues, most DJI drone models are sold out at retailers regardless of future FCC action.  

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 13, #416

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 13, No. 416.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a bit of a stumper. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Think zebras.

Green group hint: Lights, camera, play ball!

Blue group hint: Not one or two points.

Purple group hint: A male duck.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Things a football referee carries.

Green group: Baseball movies, with «The.»

Blue group: Feats worth three points/goals in different sports.

Purple group: Drake ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is things a football referee carries. The four answers are bean bag, coin, flag and whistle.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is baseball movies, with «The.» The four answers are Natural, Pride of the Yankees, Rookie and Sandlot.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is feats worth three points/goals in different sports. The four answers are field goal, half-court shot, hat trick and ringer.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is Drake ____.  The four answers are Baldwin, Bulldogs, London and Maye.

Toughest Connections: Sports Edition categories

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle can be tough, but it really depends on which sports you know the most about. My husband aces anything having to do with Formula 1, my best friend is a hockey buff, and I can answer any question about Minnesota teams.

That said, it’s hard to pick the toughest Connections categories, but here are some I found exceptionally mind-blowing recently.

#1: Series A Clubs, Jan. 11. Answers: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.

#2: WNBA MVPs, Jan. 21. Answers: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles and Stewart.

#3: Premier League team nicknames, Jan. 17. Answers: Bees, Cherries, Foxes and Hammers.

#4: Homophones of NBA player names, Jan. 26. Answers: Barns, Connect, Heart and Hero.

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Technologies

The Galaxy Watch 8 Is on Sale for $250 and It’s Hard to Resist

With advanced health tools and a sleek design, the Galaxy Watch 8 is an excellent value at this price.

The holiday season is the perfect time to upgrade your tech, and a smartwatch that supports your fitness goals and schedule might be at the top of your list. This Woot deal gives you the perfect opportunity to grab one of our favorite Samsung smartwatches for a steal right before Black Friday rolls in.

Right now, you can snag the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $250 at Woot — but only until Nov. 15. That’s down from its $330 list price, saving you $80. You’ll also find the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic down to $330. Both models are marked as new and come with a 90-day limited warranty from Woot. With the Galaxy Watch Ultra already sold out, stock is likely to run out quickly, so shop sooner rather than later.

Samsung’s latest smartwatch packs serious hardware upgrades. It has a vibrant 46mm AMOLED display that shines up to 3,000 nits, along with 2GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, built-in GPS and advanced fitness tools, including sleep coaching and vascular load monitoring. It’s also waterproof up to 50 meters and lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

CNET expert Vanessa Hand Orellana praised its refined design, detailed health insights and Gemini AI support, noting that it «has nearly every feature I could hope for.» Just remember, some tools work best when paired with the Samsung Galaxy phone.

If you love saving a few extra bucks as much as we do, check out our roundup of the best early Black Friday deals and the best smartwatches.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 packs serious upgrades for the price. With advanced fitness tools, sleep coaching and daily energy tracking, it’s one of the most feature‑rich smartwatches this year. The $250 price represents a new low for the model during the Black Friday season and includes a 90-day warranty. But with limited stock, it’s a deal worth grabbing quickly.

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