How to View Saved Passwords in Windows Credential Manager

PDF download Download Article
Plus, why you might not be able to see some passwords
PDF download Download Article

The Windows Credential Manager is a hidden desktop app that stores account information, including the passwords you store when browsing the web in Microsoft Edge (until Windows 11). The tool also saves credential information you won't be able to view, like authentication tokens created by apps and network services. This wikiHow teaches you how to use the Credential Manager to decrypt and view passwords saved on your Windows PC.

Quick Steps

  1. Type "credential" into the Windows search bar.
  2. Click on Credential Manager .
  3. Click Web Credentials or Windows Credentials .
  4. Click the arrow next to an account to expand its details.
  5. Click show next to the password to view it. You may not be able to see passwords under the Windows Credentials tab.
Section 1 of 2:

Viewing Passwords in Credential Manager

PDF download Download Article
  1. To do this, type credential into the Windows search bar, and then click Credential Manager in the search results.
    • Credential Manager is not like a typical password manager –you won't find your account usernames and passwords for anything other than signing in to certain connected applications, networks, and (possibly) some saved website passwords. To learn more about why you might not be able to see your passwords, jump down to the FAQ .
  2. Both options are at the top of the window.
    • Web Credentials: This section contains passwords you've saved while using Microsoft Edge. If you've saved passwords using a different web browser (e.g., Google Chrome , Firefox), you'll need to use that web browser's password manager to find your passwords.
    • Windows Credentials: This section will only be useful if your PC is on a corporate network. The passwords stored here are just those used for network-related Windows services. Most people will not be able to view any passwords in this section.
    Advertisement
  3. This displays more information about the account, including the option to show the password (if applicable).
    • If you're in the Windows Credentials section and expanded the "Generic Credentials" arrow, you'll find that none of the passwords can be shown. This is normal, as these are saved authentication tokens rather than plain-text passwords.
    • If you can't see your web credentials, you may need to check the Wallet app instead.
  4. A confirmation window will appear.
  5. Once you verify your identity, the saved password will appear in plain text. [1]
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

FAQ

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Why can't I see my web passwords in Credential Manager? Microsoft has recently switched the program it uses to save your web passwords. If you don't see any of your passwords saved in Credential Manager, check Microsoft Wallet, which you will find in Microsoft Edge. This app saves your passwords, payment methods, addresses, and more. To get there: [2]
    • Open the Edge browser and click the three-dot menu.
    • Go to Settings > Profiles .
    • Under Microsoft Wallet in the main panel, click Passwords .
    • To view a password, click the account, then enter your Windows password, PIN, or biometric.
  2. 2
    Why can't I see my Windows passwords in Credential Manager? Most users won't be able to see their passwords in the Windows Credentials section, and there's no way to display the passwords in this section. You likely won't have any credentials saved in this section if you aren't using a work PC on a network, though you may see some entries saved under "Generic Credentials." These are not passwords, however, and are instead saved authentication tokens that you aren't able to view.
  3. 3
    Why is the Web Credentials section so sparse? If you don't use Microsoft Edge, you won't see any of your passwords saved in Credential Manager. If you use a different browser like Chrome or Firefox, you'll need to use the built-in password manager in those browsers to view your credentials.
  4. 4
    Are there any alternatives to Windows Credential Manager? There are a number of password managers available that can securely store your passwords for you. Computer specialist Luigi Oppido recommends LastPass , as it can save all of your passwords and generate super-secure passwords for you. You only have to remember the password to access LastPass to use it. [3]
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My computer does not show the "show password" option in Windows or web credentials. What happened?
    Aasim
    Top Answerer
    In order for you to save your passwords, you must have a Windows password and a PIN set up. They would be used to unlock your Windows credentials.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 191 Helpful 42
  • Question
    In the password line, I do not have the "Show" link. Why is that?
    Aasim
    Top Answerer
    You cannot view the password for Windows credentials. You can edit the credential to have the correct password, though.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 266 Helpful 100
  • Question
    How to find my user password? I didn't set up any passwords on my device but it required password to see.
    BurgerBoy1000
    Community Answer
    Try your Microsoft account password. Make sure to use the main Microsoft account password. If you use an offline account, try asking the Windows community.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 9
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • To view your saved passwords in Google Chrome, click the menu at the top-right corner of the browser, select Settings , and then click Passwords . Click the eyeball icon next to any password you want to view.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • If you want to find out the password for a wireless connection you've made in the past, see How to Find a WiFi Password .
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • You can also write passwords down in a notebook and store it somewhere safe to keep track of them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add or Update a Password on Your Windows 10 or 11 Computer
      How to
      Reset a Huawei Router Password
      How to
      Set a Windows Password
      How to
      Change Your Password from Your Windows 10 Lock Screen
      2 Easy Ways to Put a Password on a Microsoft Word Document
      How to
      Bypass the Administrator Password in Windows
      A Complete Guide to Adding Password Protection to .Bat Files
      How to
      Open Bitlocker Encrypted USB Drive on Another Computer
      How to
      Retrieve Passwords in Windows XP
      3 Ways to Manage Your Passwords with KeePass
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/credential-manager-in-windows-1b5c916a-6a16-889f-8581-fc16e8165ac0
      2. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/features/wallet?form=MA13FJ
      3. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the Windows Search bar.
      2. Type "credential."
      3. Click Credential Manager .
      4. Click Web Credentials or Windows Credentials .
      5. Click the arrow next to an account.
      6. Click Show .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 400,076 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement