How to Recover Saved FileZilla Passwords

FileZilla saves FTP and SFTP credentials automatically so you don't have to type them every time. But if you've ever needed to move to a new PC, reinstall Windows, or just retrieve a password you never wrote down, those saved credentials can feel locked away. This guide shows you exactly how to get them back.

FileZilla stores saved site passwords in a local XML file. Older versions stored them in plain text; newer versions use base64 encoding. Either way, the passwords are fully recoverable using the methods below.

Method 1: SterJo FileZilla Decryptor (Easiest)

SterJo FileZilla Decryptor reads FileZilla's configuration files directly and displays all saved site credentials in plain text — no manual file editing, no base64 decoding, no command line.

How to Use SterJo FileZilla Decryptor

1. Download and run SterJo FileZilla Decryptor — no installation needed.
2. The tool automatically locates FileZilla's configuration files from the default AppData path.
3. All saved sites appear with their credentials listed in plain text.
4. Click File → Save to export the list to a file for safe keeping.

Method 2: Read sitemanager.xml Manually

If you prefer not to use a tool, you can open FileZilla's configuration file directly. This is especially useful for older FileZilla versions which stored passwords as plain base64.

Step 1: Find the sitemanager.xml File

FileZilla stores its site manager data in your Windows user profile. The default location is:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\FileZilla\sitemanager.xml

If you can't see the AppData folder, press Windows + R, type %appdata%\FileZilla, and press Enter. This opens the folder directly.

Step 2: Open the File

Right-click sitemanager.xml and open it with Notepad or any text editor. You'll see XML entries for each saved site. Look for a <Pass> or <Password> tag inside each site entry.

Step 3: Decode the Password

In newer FileZilla versions, the password value is base64 encoded. Copy the value between the password tags and paste it into a base64 decoder (search "base64 decode" in any browser) to get the plain text password.

In older FileZilla versions (before 3.x), the password may already be in plain text inside the XML file.

Where FileZilla Stores Passwords

FileZilla Client uses two files to store credentials:

SterJo FileZilla Decryptor reads both files automatically. If you're using the manual XML method, check both files — servers you connected to via the Quickconnect bar appear in recentservers.xml, not sitemanager.xml.

How to Back Up FileZilla Before Reinstalling Windows

If you're about to reinstall Windows and want to preserve all your FileZilla sites and passwords, the easiest approach is to copy the entire FileZilla AppData folder:

1. Press Windows + R and type %appdata%\FileZilla, then press Enter.
2. Copy the entire FileZilla folder to a USB drive or external storage.
3. After reinstalling Windows and FileZilla, paste the folder back to the same AppData location.
4. Open FileZilla — all your saved sites and passwords will be restored exactly as before.

Alternatively, use SterJo FileZilla Decryptor to export your passwords to a readable text file first. This is more useful if you're migrating to a different FTP client entirely.

📚 Related Guides

Recover Your FTP Passwords in Seconds

Whether you're moving to a new PC, recovering from a crash, or just need a password you stored years ago, SterJo FileZilla Decryptor gives you instant access to everything FileZilla has saved. Run it, export the list, and you have a permanent, readable record of all your FTP credentials.

Download SterJo FileZilla Decryptor Free →