What is Windows Hello for Business (and why Microsoft keeps talking about it)?
So… what is it?
Windows Hello for Business is Microsoft’s way of letting your team sign into their work laptops without typing passwords all the time.
Instead, they log in using:
- a PIN, or
- face or fingerprint (if the device supports it)
It only works on company-approved devices, not random computers.
Why is Microsoft pushing “passwordless”?
Because passwords cause most security problems.
They get:
- reused
- guessed
- phished
- leaked
Even with MFA, passwords are still the thing attackers go after. Microsoft’s answer is simple: stop relying on them.
Passwordless sign-in is:
- harder to hack
- easier for users
- the direction Microsoft is clearly heading in
A PIN sounds weaker than a password… isn’t it?
Surprisingly, no.
A Windows Hello PIN:
- only works on that specific device
- never leaves the laptop
- can’t be reused anywhere else
So even if someone knew the PIN, it would be useless without the actual device. A password, on the other hand, can be used from anywhere in the world.
Does this mean passwords disappear?
Not entirely.
Passwords still exist in the background, but for day-to-day use:
- staff stop typing them
- phishing risk drops
- login becomes quicker and simpler
Think of it as passwordless for users, not password-free forever.
How does this link to Entra ID P1?
This is the important bit.
With Entra ID P1 (included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium):
- devices are enrolled and trusted
- security rules are applied automatically
- only compliant devices can access company data
- Windows Hello works properly and securely
In plain terms:
the right user, on the right device, with the right security.
Is this worth it for a small business?
In most cases, yes.
You get:
- fewer password resets
- less phishing risk
- happier users
- security that matches where Microsoft is going
It does need setting up properly - but when done right, it’s a quiet improvement that just works.
Further reading https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/hello-for-business/faq