Microsoft has removed the Custom Primary Password (master password) feature from Microsoft Edge starting June 4, 2026. Users who previously activated the feature will now need to use device-based authentication methods to access their saved passwords.
This includes options such as Windows Hello with PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition, or the device's standard operating system login. The change was first introduced with the release of Edge version 145 and aligns with Microsoft's broader shift toward passwordless authentication.
This shift also includes the announced phaseout of SMS two-factor authentication for personal Microsoft accounts last month.
What Changed in Microsoft Edge and Why The Custom Primary Password Was Removed
The Custom Primary Password feature allowed users to set a master password to secure access to their saved passwords in Edge. Microsoft replaced this with device-based authentication, so access now depends on the login method used to secure the device itself.
Microsoft announced: "On June 4, Custom Primary Password will be fully removed for users who opted in. After this date, Microsoft Edge will automatically use device-based authentication, such as Windows Hello, device password, or OS-level authentication, to protect saved passwords."
Microsoft explains that Windows Hello offers a higher level of security compared to a custom master password. While a master password can be compromised if a third party discovers it, granting access to all saved credentials, device-based authentication relies on hardware-level biometrics or a device PIN that cannot be accessed remotely. Windows Hello also does not transmit authentication data to the cloud.
Windows Hello Limitations and What Edge Users Should Do Now
Windows Hello's facial recognition feature has a known limitation introduced in 2025, requiring both an IR sensor and a webcam that can see the user's face for sign-in. In low-light or dark conditions, this can prevent authentication from working.
Microsoft confirmed that this change was intentional and not a bug. Users who cannot use facial recognition can fall back to fingerprint authentication or a device PIN within Windows Hello.
Users who relied on the Custom Primary Password in Edge no longer need to manage a separate master password. Now, saved passwords in Edge are protected by the same authentication used to secure the device.
Those who prefer stronger separation between their browser password vault and their OS login might want to consider a dedicated third-party password manager.
Such managers store credentials inside an encrypted vault that is separate from device authentication. This change does not affect passwords already saved in Edge. Existing credentials remain accessible through the new device-based authentication method.
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