How to Recover Email Passwords Saved on Your Computer (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo)

You click to check your email, and... blank. What was that password? You've changed it so many times, and now you're locked out of your own inbox. But if you ever clicked "Remember Password" in your email client or browser, your email password is still on your computer.

What If I Forgot My Email Password Completely?

If you forgot your email password and cannot access your inbox, first check whether it is saved in your browser or email client. If it is not stored locally (for example, when using OAuth2), you must use your provider’s official password reset process.

Most providers like Gmail, Outlook.com, and Yahoo offer account recovery via recovery email, phone number, or security questions.

In this guide, you'll learn multiple methods to recover forgotten email passwords from popular email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Mail) and web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). Whether you use Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, or any other email service, these techniques can help you retrieve your credentials.

1. Where Is My Email Password Stored on My Computer?

Email passwords can be saved in several places:

2. Recover Email Passwords from Microsoft Outlook

Outlook stores email passwords in different places depending on the version and account type.

Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365:

Method A: Via Account Settings

1. Open Outlook
2. Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings
3. Select your email account and click "Change"
4. Look for a "Password" field—it may show dots
5. If you see a "Remember password" checkbox, the password may be visible in some versions
6. Unfortunately, newer Outlook versions do not display passwords for security

Method B: Windows Credential Manager

Older Outlook versions and some account types store passwords in Credential Manager:

1. Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Credential Manager
2. Click Windows Credentials
3. Look for entries with "Outlook" or "MicrosoftOffice" in the name
4. Expand the entry and click "Show" to reveal the password

Method C: Registry (Advanced)

Some Outlook versions store passwords in the registry, but they're often encrypted. Not recommended for most users.

3. Recover Email Passwords from Mozilla Thunderbird

Thunderbird has its own password manager and makes it relatively easy to view saved passwords.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird
2. Click the menu button (three lines, top-right)
3. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
4. Scroll down to "Saved Passwords"
5. Click "Saved Passwords" button
6. You'll see a list of all saved accounts
7. Click "Show Passwords" at the bottom
8. Confirm the warning dialog
9. Passwords will be revealed in plain text

Thunderbird Master Password:

If you set a master password in Thunderbird, you'll need to enter it before viewing saved passwords.

4. Recover Email Passwords from Windows Mail

Windows Mail (the modern app) and Windows Live Mail store passwords differently.

Windows Mail (Windows 10/11 App):

The modern Windows Mail app typically uses OAuth2 authentication, meaning passwords aren't stored locally. To recover access:

• You'll need to reset your password with your email provider
• Or check browser saved passwords if you use webmail

Windows Live Mail (Older):

1. Open Windows Live Mail
2. Go to Tools → Accounts
3. Select your email account
4. Click "Properties"
5. Go to the "Servers" tab
6. Look for the password field—it may show asterisks
7. Use a password reveal tool (like SterJo) if not visible

5. Recover Email Passwords from Web Browsers

If you access email through Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo Mail in a browser, your password is likely saved there.

Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome → three dots → Settings → Autofill → Password Manager
2. Search for "gmail", "outlook", "yahoo", or your email provider
3. Click the eye icon and enter Windows password

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox → hamburger menu → Passwords
2. Search for your email provider
3. Click the eye icon (may require master password)

Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge → three dots → Settings → Profiles → Passwords
2. Search for your email provider
3. Click the eye icon and enter Windows password

Email Clients vs Browsers – Where Is Recovery Easier?

Browser-stored email passwords are typically easier to view because Chrome, Firefox, and Edge allow direct password viewing after Windows authentication. Email clients may encrypt passwords or use OAuth2, making recovery dependent on configuration.

6. The Easiest Way: SterJo Mail Passwords (Free Tool)

Email password recovery tool is a dedicated tool that recovers all your email passwords from email clients and browsers in one click—no searching through settings, no Windows password required.

How to Use SterJo Mail Passwords:

1. Download the tool (installer or portable version)
2. Run it - it scans all email clients and browsers
3. View all recovered email passwords in an organized table
4. Click "Save" button to backup passwords to a file

7. Gmail-Specific Recovery Methods

If You Use Gmail in a Browser:

Check your browser's saved passwords for "gmail.com" or "accounts.google.com".

If You Use Gmail in an Email Client:

Modern Gmail accounts often use OAuth2. The password isn't stored—you authorized access via Google. To recover:

1. Go to Google Account → Security → Signing in to Google → Password
2. Reset your password if needed
3. Update password in your email client

Google Account Recovery:

If you're completely locked out, use Google's account recovery:

1. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery
2. Follow the prompts (may ask for recovery email, phone, or previous passwords)

8. Outlook.com / Hotmail Recovery

If You Use Outlook.com in a Browser:

Check browser saved passwords for "outlook.com", "hotmail.com", or "live.com".

If You Use Outlook.com in Email Client:

Like Gmail, modern Outlook.com accounts use OAuth2. Reset your Microsoft account password instead.

Microsoft Account Recovery:

1. Go to account.live.com/resetpassword.aspx
2. Follow the recovery process (email, phone, or recovery form)

9. Yahoo Mail Recovery

If You Use Yahoo Mail in a Browser:

Check browser saved passwords for "yahoo.com" or "mail.yahoo.com".

If You Use Yahoo Mail in Email Client:

Yahoo supports both password authentication and OAuth2. If you used an app password, that specific password might be saved in your client.

Yahoo Account Recovery:

1. Go to edit.yahoo.com/forgot
2. Follow the recovery process with recovery phone or email

10. Understanding OAuth2 (Modern Authentication)

Many email providers now use OAuth2, which changes how passwords are handled:

How to Tell Which You're Using:

• If you signed in to your email client with a browser window, you're using OAuth2
• If you entered a password directly in client settings, it's traditional
• Gmail and Outlook.com accounts set up after ~2017 likely use OAuth2

People Also Ask

How do I find my saved Gmail password?

Open your browser’s password manager and search for gmail.com. If using OAuth2 in an email client, reset via Google Account.

Can Outlook show my email password?

Modern Outlook versions do not display passwords directly. Older versions may store them in Credential Manager.

Are email passwords stored on my computer?

Yes, unless OAuth2 authentication is used. They may be stored in browsers, email clients, or Windows Credential Manager.

📚 Related Guides

Never Lose Access to Your Email Again

Your email is the key to your digital life—it's how you reset passwords for all your other accounts. Whether you use Outlook, Thunderbird, web browsers, or a combination, you now have multiple ways to recover your email passwords.

For quick recovery across all email clients and browsers, SterJo Mail Passwords gives you everything in one click—even if you've forgotten your Windows password.

Download SterJo Mail Passwords Free →

Pro tip: After recovering your email passwords, set up a password manager. You'll never need to recover them again.