Important notice
Resetting the security key (your Cryptnox FIDO2 card) returns the device to factory defaults and deletes all credentials and account registrations stored on the card. If you use the card to sign into websites, Microsoft accounts, or other services, those registrations will stop working until you re-enroll the key with each service. Enroll a back up card or an alternative solution before you reset, to maintain access to your websites or devices
No setup required
Windows provides built-in management for FIDO2 / security keys. You do not need extra drivers — just have a compatible Smart Card Reader connected and your Cryptnox FIDO2 card ready
Note: this Settings flow is available on Windows versions that support built-in security key management (Windows 10 1903+ / Windows 11)
Step 1
Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options
Scroll down until you find the Security key under the list of sign-in methods
Click on “Manage” to open the Windows security key management window
Step 2
When prompted, tap your Cryptnox FIDO2 card on the NFC reader, extract or insert it into a contact reader, or click the Fido2 button if using the Cryptnox “Click to Tap” contact reader to continue
Once confirmed, the Security Key Settings screen will appear with options such as Change PIN, and Reset
Step 3
On the Security Key Settings screen, select “Reset Security Key”.
After that, the system will ask you to tap / extract – insert or click twice on the reader for verification
Next, Windows will display a warning message indicating that all credentials on the key will be permanently deleted; and confirm the action by clicking “Proceed”
Wait until Windows completes the process
Step 4
When the process finishes, Windows will confirm that your security key has been reset Click “Done” to exit the dialog
Your Cryptnox FIDO2 card is now restored to factory settings and ready for a new setup.
FIDO2 represents a major security advancement over traditional password-based systems by eliminating the vulnerabilities that make passwords the weakest link in digital security Traditional passwords are susceptible to phishing, credential stuffing, and data breaches,problems that cost businesses millions annually FIDO2 uses public key cryptography instead, where your private key never leaves your device and can’t be intercepted or stolen by hackers When you authenticate with a FIDO2 security key, the service only receives your public key, making it useless to attackers even if the server gets compromised
The authentication speed difference is significant,FIDO-based logins take about 7 seconds compared to 14 seconds for password entry Enterprises adopting passwordless authentication save nearly $2 million compared to organizations using passwords with multi-factor authentication, and Microsoft reduced their authentication costs by 87% after the switch After Accenture introduced passwordless authentication, phishing attacks dropped by 60%, demonstrating real-world security improvements For users managing multiple accounts across platforms like Google, Microsoft, and Cloudflare, FIDO2 cards eliminate the need to remember dozens of complex passwords
FIDO2’s architecture makes it inherently phishing-resistant because cryptographic keys are bound to specific websites and applications If attackers trick you into visiting a fake login page, your FIDO2 card won’t authenticate because the domain doesn’t match the registered service This protection works automatically,you don’t need to verify URLs or spot sophisticated phishing attempts manually Traditional passwords offer no such protection; users can unknowingly type credentials into malicious sites, handing attackers complete account access
The technology also defends against replay attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept authentication data during transmission Since FIDO2 credentials aren’t shared between services, a breach at one company can’t compromise your accounts elsewhere This isolation is critical for users who rely on security keys for sensitive platforms like Binance, Coinbase, or banking services Organizations see 100% improvements in security and user experience after adopting FIDO standards, with notable reductions in help desk support issues
Half of US enterprises have already adopted some form of passwordless authentication, and 92% of security executives report their organizations have implemented or plan to implement passwordless solutions This rapid adoption stems from both security improvements and operational efficiency gains, enhanced employee productivity and improved user experience rank as the primary advantages cited by information security officers Companies are moving away from password management overhead that includes frequent reset requests, help desk tickets, and security training costs
The shift toward FIDO2 authentication is accelerating in sectors handling sensitive data, including government services, financial platforms, and e-commerce operations For businesses implementing remote workforces, FIDO2 security keys provide consistent protection across distributed teams without relying on VPNs or additional security layers The technology’s interoperability means employees can use the same security key for Windows computers, iPhone devices, and web services, simplifying IT management
While the security benefits are clear, successful passwordless adoption requires effective communication with staff about the authentication changes Employees accustomed to password workflows need training on how to use FIDO2 smartcards and understanding why the transition improves their security posture Organizations should provide detailed startup guides and access to troubleshooting resources during the rollout phase
Technical compatibility can also present obstacles; not all legacy systems support FIDO2 standards immediately Companies need to audit their authentication infrastructure and prioritize upgrading critical systems first Investing in quality hardware like Cryptnox FIDO2 cards ensures long-term reliability and cross-platform support Many enterprises start with pilot programs for IT and security teams before expanding to the entire organization, allowing them to identify integration issues and refine their deployment strategy
Resetting your FIDO2 card brings it back to factory defaults, but you might face a few common problems afterward Device verification errors often occur when trying to re-register the card with services This happens because the old credentials were deleted, and the service needs time to recognize the reset device If you see “We couldn’t verify your device” or “security key doesn’t look familiar” messages, simply remove the old security key registration from your account settings first, then add it again as a new device
Some Windows users experience sign-in delays or conflicts with Windows Hello Face, which may override your FIDO2 card as the default method You can fix this by going to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options and adjusting your preferred sign-in method priority Another issue is timeout errors during re-registration; these happen when you take too long to tap or insert the card during the verification step The solution is straightforward: respond quickly when prompted, and make sure your card reader has a stable connection
After the reset, you’ll need to re-enroll your Cryptnox FIDO2 card with every service or website where you previously used it for authentication Start with your most important accounts, like Microsoft accounts, Google accounts, and banking services, to maintain access right away Each platform has slightly different enrollment flows, but the general process involves:
Keep a list of all services where you used the card before resetting it Popular platforms like Cloudflare, Shopify, and Binance support FIDO2 registration, and you can complete the setup in just a few minutes per service Having backup authentication methods enabled before resetting prevents lockouts; this is why the warning at the start of the reset process is so important
You’ll lose immediate access to any account that relies solely on your FIDO2 card for authentication This is why setting up a backup security key or alternative authentication method before resetting is critical Most services allow multiple security keys or backup codes, enable at least one alternative before proceeding with the reset If you’re already locked out, you’ll need to use account recovery options like recovery email addresses, phone numbers, or customer support verification processes, which can take several days
Yes, once the reset completes, your card works immediately with compatible NFC readers and contact smart card readers The factory reset doesn’t affect the card’s hardware capabilities; only the stored credentials and registrations are erased However, you’ll need to re-register it with each service before it can authenticate you Make sure your NFC reader is properly connected and that your device supports NFC-compatible FIDO2 authentication before attempting to use tap-and-go functionality
Cryptnox keys are FIDO2 Level 1 certified and use modern standards-based authentication
Resetting erases all credentials, registrations, and settings, returning the card to factory defaults You’ll need to re-enroll with every service Changing your PIN only updates your personal identification number without affecting your existing registrations or credentials If you simply forgot your PIN or want to update it for security reasons, use the PIN change function instead of a full reset A reset is only necessary when you want to completely wipe the card, transfer ownership, or troubleshoot persistent authentication failures that PIN changes can’t fix
The double-tap requirement is a safety mechanism to prevent accidental resets Since resetting permanently deletes all credentials on the card, Windows requires two separate physical confirmations to ensure you intentionally want to proceed The first tap initiates the reset command, and the second confirms your decision after reviewing the warning message This two-step verification protects you from accidentally wiping your security key with a single misplaced tap, which would lock you out of all registered accounts
No, a factory reset doesn’t change your card’s hardware specifications or compatibility with operating systems Your Cryptnox FIDO2 card will continue working with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices that support FIDO2 standards The reset only clears stored credentials; the card’s technical capabilities remain the same After resetting, you can register it with services on any compatible platform, just like when the card was brand new
If Windows displays an error or the process stalls, first try removing and reinserting the card into your reader, then restart the reset process from Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options Ensure your smart card reader drivers are up to date and that no other security software is interfering with the connection If problems persist, check the troubleshooting guide for reader-specific issues or contact support In rare cases, trying the reset on a different Windows device can help identify if the issue is with your computer or the card itself
