Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft plans to introduce a single sign-on (SSO) option in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- Users in the EU will see a new prompt, asking whether they wish to sign in to Microsoft apps using Windows credentials.
- The new single sign-on (SSO) notice will be available for Windows 10 and 11 users in January 2024.
Microsoft is planning to add a new single sign-on (SSO) option to Windows 10 and Windows 11 in January 2024. This update aims to make the operating system compliant with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication service that allows Windows users to access multiple apps or services with a single set of login credentials. It eliminates the need to remember multiple sets of login credentials and enables users to log in once and gain access to all authorized resources. SSO is commonly used in enterprise environments to simplify the login process for employees.
Microsoft has announced that users in the European Union will see a new single sign-on (SSO) prompt that will ask if they want to sign in to applications with Windows credentials. If the user selects the ‘Continue’ option, the notification will not reappear unless they don’t sign in for 90 days or re-add a cloud account to Windows.
“The notice appears the first time a user uses an app that enables sign-in with a personal Microsoft account, or work or school Entra ID, after signing in to Windows. If the user chooses to use the same credentials they used to sign in to Windows, this notice will not appear again,” Microsoft explained.
Furthermore, Windows users have the option to choose “Don’t sign in” to use the application without authentication. Alternatively, users can also opt to log in with an account that is not linked to Windows.
Microsoft to roll out the new single sign-in option to Windows users in January
Microsoft is currently testing the new sign in notice with select Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. It will only appear on devices set up with a region in the European Economic Area (EEA). Microsoft plans to begin rolling out the feature to Windows 10 and 11 users starting in January, with a general availability anticipated by March 2024. However, this change won’t impact Windows Server SKUs.
In September, the EU Commission designated Microsoft as one of the gatekeeper companies under its new Digital Markets Act. Last month, Microsoft announced some changes to Windows 11 and 10 to ensure compliance with DMA in the European Economic Area (EEA). The upcoming changes should give customers more control over the devices and the Windows experience.