How to use Credential Manager in Windows

Windows Credential Manager allows you to store credentials, such as user names and passwords that you use to log on to websites or other computers on a network. By storing your credentials, Windows can automatically log you on to websites or other computers.

This data can be used by Windows itself or by apps and programs like File Explorer, Microsoft Office, Skype, virtualization software and so on.

Credentials are split into several categories:


  • Windows Credentials - are used only by Windows and its services.  For example, Windows can use these credentials to automatically log you into the shared folders on your network. It can also store the password of the Homegroup you have joined and uses it automatically to access shares in that Homegroup.

  • Certificate-Based Credentials - they are used together with smart-cards, mostly in complex business network environments.

  • Generic Credentials - are defined and used by some of the apps you install in Windows, so that they get the authorisation to use certain resources. Examples of such apps include OneDrive, Slack, Xbox Live, etc.

  • Web Credentials - they represent logon information for websites that is stored by Windows, Skype, Internet Explorer or other Microsoft apps. They exist only in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, but not in Windows 7.


The Credential Manager receives notifications when authentication information changes and updates it automatically, saving the latest valid information. Unless you want to know which credentials are stored on your computer or you need to remove or edit an incorrect one, you do not need to use the Credential Manager.

To open the Credential Manager in Windows, open Start Menu > Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.

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The Credential Manager looks slightly different between Windows versions. For example, in Windows 7, you can see that you have only the Windows Vault with all the types of credentials in one list which you can scroll down.

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In Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, you have two vaults instead of one: Web Credentials and Windows Credentials (which includes Certificate-Based Credentials, Generic Credentials and the Windows Credentials). Click on the vault that you want to open and scroll down the list of credentials that are stored by Windows.

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You may want to add a credential for Windows to use automatically, when needed. In the category of credentials that you want to add, click or tap the add credential link. For example, if you want to add a Windows Credential, click “Add a Windows credential.”

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You are then asked to type the necessary login details.

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To remove or edit a credential, find it and expand it, by clicking on its name or the arrow on the right. Next, click Remove or Edit.

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The Credential Manager can be use to export your Windows credentials to another Windows computer, or to back them up and import your Windows credentials when needed, so that you don’t have to manually type them again.

Open the Credential Manager. Under the Windows Vault look for the Back up vault or Back up Credentials link and click on it.

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You are asked to select where you want to backup the Windows credentials stored on your computer. Click on Browse button, select the folder and type the name of the file where the data will be stored. Then, click Next button.

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You are now asked to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard, so that you can continue.

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Next, your screen will turn black and show only the Stored User Names and Passwords window where you are asked to type the password you want to protect the data inside the backup file, and confirm it. Once this is done, click Next button.

You will be informed that the backup file was created. Click Finish button.

To restore your Windows credentials, open the Credential Manager and click on the Restore link.