Times change and products evolve. The Microsoft suite of security products is, once again, going through an evolution. Microsoft Authenticator, the company’s popular multi-factor authentication tool used by thousands of organizations to secure their infrastructure, has an upcoming feature deprecation that may impact many tax professionals or financial service organizations who rely on its password management feature. At the moment, the multi-factor authentication feature remains unimpacted.
At the end of July 2025, Microsoft Authenticator will no longer store, manage, or retrieve passwords and credentials for websites, applications, and more. On August 1,2025, Microsoft will permanently remove BOTH passwords entered and stored in Microsoft Authenticator as well as passwords created using the auto-generate feature. Once August arrives, these passwords will be removed permanently and no longer be accessible, even via backup. Microsoft has been notifying users of this migration for several weeks.
Users wishing to retain access to their passwords will need to migrate to a new tool BEFORE the deprecation date. Microsoft encourages people to migrate to their Edge web browser and use its internal AI-powered password manager.
Not taking actions within the next two weeks could results in loss of passwords or even loss of access to entire systems. Migrating to most commercial password managers will provide a password import/export feature typically.
Financial Guardians encourages the following actions:
Take a few minutes to update your overall plan for password management. This should be a though exercise on what will work best for you.
If you are currently using Microsoft Authenticator for password management, we suggest migrating to Keeper Security or Bitwarden. (We do not have a partnership or referral program – we just like their technology.) It is important to ensure these tools are commercial grade with proper encryption and authentication means enabled.
Consider this as an encouragement to migrate to passkeys for tools and applications that support that technology.
Based upon previous feature deprecation efforts by Microsoft, we do not anticipate this transition to be delayed. Please take actions immediately to avoid potential loss of data or access.
If you do not fully understand an issues or if you need assistance working through a resolution, the team here at Financial Guardians is available for Individual Support Calls to assist with any individual or specific matters.
Financial Guardians is a proud member of InCite, the recently launched online community exclusively for tax professionals, bookkeepers, and accountants. InCite members receive a 30% discount.
Financial Guardians has partnered with the California Society of Tax Consultants to provide a 30% access discount as well as many other offers. More info can be found at www.cstcsociety.org
