API being deprecated... more details?

[jordanmills]

I can't get the feedback widget to load on the doc page, but it is https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/security/companion-device-unlock from https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/blob/docs/windows-apps-src/security/companion-device-unlock.md

It says:

Note Microsoft will be deprecating the API for the Windows Hello companion device framework in the first half of 2020.

Does that mean that the API is being deprecated from windows, or just from windows 10 iot? It's a pretty big difference. MS continuing to abandon windows 10 iot won't make much of a difference to most people, but removing part of the authentication framework that many enterprises and partners are actively using and building solutions for is a big deal.

[hickeys]

I've checked in with the devs and will update when I have more information

[jordanmills]

Thanks

[Mindstyler]

Are there any updates on this topic?

[hickeys]

I have not heard back. I will reach out to the team again. In the meantime, I'd like to clarify that Windows Hello is not being discontinued, this deprecation notice only applies to the companion decide unlock feature. Does this answer your question, or are you looking to run companion device APIs on non-IoT devices?

Jordan Mills (@jordanmills) Mindstyler

[Mindstyler]

I am looking to use a Yubikey / similar Fido2 keys to authenticate users during login to my application. I did extensive research on this topic and only found the Companion Device Framework to make this possible (to even read information from the Yubikey). If there is another solution that I am unaware of, please point me in the right direction. Shawn Hickey (@hickeys)

[hickeys]

Mindstyler

I still have not heard back from the team. I apologize. It might be faster to post on a Microsoft forum such as the below.

• Microsoft Q&A or StackOverflow
• The Windows developer support site explains other support options.
• The Visual Studio developer community is available, and responsive. The former User Voice feature is now there on the Suggest a feature tab, if you want to lobby for a change, a feature, or to make a suggestion.

I realize this is not a satisfying answer, but I can't do much beyond pinging the team again, and that doesn't seem to be working. I'll continue to try, but hopefully you have better luck following the links above.

[hickeys]

Mindstyler

I received a response from the engineering team. The framework is being deprecated on all Windows platforms, including IoT but also all non-IoT versions. The team also mentioned that instead of using the yubikey directly, you may want to use SSP and use the yubikey for FIDO2 logon. I don't know if that would work for you. If not, please let me know and I can provide more resources.

[mrjester888]

This API has been deprecated for nearly a year now. What replaced it?

[Mindstyler]

Mr. J (@mrjester888)
I don't think anything replaced it

[psyspy1]

Shawn Hickey (@hickeys) I have a companion device with Bluetooth that I am planning to use to unlock my PC. That device has a button which should unlock the PC when it's clicked. The companion device framework would have perfectly fit my needs. What are the alternatives?

[avielc]

I'm looking for alternatives too, if anyone care to update here what they have found