YubiKey: Windows setup instructions for multifactor authentication

Note: A Microsoft passkey is the designated MFA method for university faculty, staff, and students.

The YubiKey security key is an alternative MFA method for those who are unable to use passkey for multifactor authentication, such as those without the required phone OS or Bluetooth. After registration, your YubiKey can be used with multiple devices to log into university services. It is recommended that you purchase a second YubiKey as a backup in case your YubiKey is lost or damaged.

See About YubiKey and YubiKey FAQ for more information and troubleshooting.

Supported YubiKey models

The university standard for security keys is the YubiKey provided by Yubico. The following YubiKey models are supported by IT Services:  

The C NFC model will be available to users for access to general university portals and systems, email, VPN, payroll and financial systems, research databases, and other data.	The 5C NFC model is available to server administrators who are unable to use Duo.

Step 1: Set up Windows Hello 

Note: Setting up Windows Hello is only for Windows devices. Mac users should use the YubiKey registration for Mac article to register their YubiKey. 

Instructions for setting up Windows Hello

Step 2: Request a YubiKey

If you are faculty, staff, or a student worker only, use the YubiKey Request form to request a YubiKey.

Step 3: Register your YubiKey 

NOTE: If the registration process times out, restart the registration process at “click +Add sign-in method”. Some steps may be skipped if you had already completed them before the time-out.

1. Go to account.uark.edu.
   Note: You will be prompted to authenticate using the Authenticator app or a different method that has been set up on your account to register the YubiKey as a new MFA method.
2. Under My Accounts, select Security Info.
3. On the Security Info page, click +Add sign-in method.
   
   
    
4. Add a sign-in method by selecting the Passkey option from the list.
   
   
    
5. On the Sign in faster with your face, fingerprint, or PIN window, select Next.
   
   
    
6. Select Windows Hello or external security key when asked to choose where to save your passkey.
   
   
    
7. When prompted by the Insert your security key into the USB port screen, plug the YubiKey into the device.
   
   
    
8. Create a PIN for the YubiKey. A YubiKey PIN can be 4-63 characters and may include letters, numbers, and special characters. Type the PIN in the New Security Key PIN field and again in the Confirm Security Key PIN field. Select OK when you are done creating the PIN.
   IMPORTANT: Don't share your PIN or choose an easy-to-guess number. Your PIN protects access to your device, passkeys, and other sensitive information, so it should be safeguarded just as carefully as a password.
   
   


9. You will be prompted to touch your security key. Tap the circle on your YubiKey. You will prompted to touch the security key again.
   
    
    
10. You will be prompted to name your security key. You may name your key anything you like. The name is to differentiate this key from any other security keys that you might have registered. Select Next. 
    
     
     
11. A window showing that the passkey was created will be displayed. Click Done.
    
    

Your YubiKey is now registered and ready to be used as your MFA method.
Note: If you have any issues after this step, navigate back to the Security Info page and select "Sign out everywhere" at the bottom. Then, continue with the instructions.

Step 4: Confirm YubiKey

1.  Go to the My Account page and sign in with your new YubiKey. 

2. Under My Account, select the Security Info tab. This will show you a list of the sign-in methods that you have set up. Make sure your YubiKey was added by looking for: "Passkey (Device Bound)" with the name of your YubiKey beside it. If you do not see this option, the YubiKey was not added correctly. Return to Step 3 to try adding the YubiKey again.
   
   View the detailed guide below for a step-by-step demonstration on confirming your YubiKey:

Step 5: Enroll in "MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" Group

After setting up and confirming the YubiKey, you will need to self-enroll in the Required Passkey group. 

1. After confirming that the YubiKey is in your list, select My Access in the left navigation pane.

2. Under My Access in the left navigation, Select Access Packages.
   
   
    
3. Select View All.
   
   
    
4. Choose Request in the "MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" row.
   
   
    
5. Select Continue when the window opens.
   
   
    
6. Before enrolling in this group, answer the questions in the Additional Questions window:
   1. Select Yes or No to answer, "Have you registered a Microsoft passkey in Microsoft Authenticator or registered a YubiKey?"
   2. Select Yes or No to answer, "For Windows users, have you set up Windows Hello for Business?"
   3. You can leave the Business Justification field blank.
   4. Click the Submit Request button. 
      
      

A green message in the upper-left corner confirms your request was submitted. This will not take long to process.

You will receive an email to your UARK email account from Microsoft Security with the subject line, "You now have access to MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" to let you know that you have successfully enrolled in the required security group. All steps are complete, and you are ready to use your YubiKey to access university resources. 

Using the YubiKey

Note: If you have set up a passkey, you might be prompted to authenticate with the passkey PIN. 

Note: You might be prompted to authenticate with your Windows Hello PIN. 

When multifactor authentication is required for a login, the YubiKey must be plugged into the computer or other device.

1. Select Sign-in options.
   
   
    
2. Select Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key.
   
   
    
3. You will be prompted to Choose a passkey. Select Security Key.
   
   
    
4. You will be prompted enter your security key PIN. Enter the PIN that you created during YubiKey registration in the Security Key PIN field, and click OK.
   
   
    
5. When prompted to Touch your security key, tap the YubiKey that is plugged into your device.
   
   

After touching the YubiKey, you will be authenticated and logged into the system.

Troubleshooting NFC with YubiKeys and Security Keys