Windows Credential Manager (Windows 10 & 11): View, Backup & Recover Saved Credentials

Did you know Windows has a built-in "vault" that stores your network passwords, login credentials, and even website passwords? It's called Windows Credential Manager, and it's been hiding in plain sight since Windows 7.

Where Are Windows Credentials Stored?

Windows stores credentials inside the Windows Vault, located in your user profile folder. The encrypted files are stored here:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Vault

Credentials are encrypted using the Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI) and tied to your Windows user account.

In this complete guide, you'll learn everything about Credential Manager: how to access it, view saved credentials, backup your vault, restore on a new PC, and recover passwords when you need them. Whether you're troubleshooting a network connection, migrating to a new computer, or just curious what Windows has stored, this guide covers it all.

If you also need to recover browser or Wi-Fi passwords, see our Complete Password Recovery Guide covering all major password types in Windows.

1. What is Windows Credential Manager?

Credential Manager is Windows' built-in password vault. It stores login information for:

• Network shares (mapped drives, shared folders)
• Remote Desktop connections
• Website passwords (if saved via Internet Explorer/Edge legacy)
• Windows apps that use credential storage
• Domain/network logins

Think of it as a secure locker where Windows keeps credentials so you don't have to re-enter them every time.

2. Web Credentials vs Windows Credentials

Credential Manager is divided into two main sections:

3. How to Open Windows Credential Manager

How to Open Credential Manager in Windows 11

1. Click the Start button
2. Type Control Panel
3. Go to User Accounts
4. Select Credential Manager

In Windows 11, Credential Manager is still part of Control Panel and not located inside the modern Settings app.

Method 1: Via Control Panel

1. Press Windows + R, type control, press Enter
2. Go to User Accounts → Credential Manager

Method 2: Direct Command

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type control /name Microsoft.CredentialManager
3. Press Enter

Method 3: Windows Search

1. Click the Start button or press Windows key
2. Type "Credential Manager"
3. Click the result

Method 4: Command Line

rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr

This opens the older "Stored User Names and Passwords" dialog.

4. How to View Saved Passwords in Credential Manager

Step-by-Step:

1. Open Credential Manager using any method above
2. Choose either Web Credentials or Windows Credentials
3. Click the arrow next to the credential you want to view
4. Click the "Show" link next to the password field
5. Enter your Windows password when prompted
6. The password will be revealed

5. Add, Edit, or Remove Credentials

Add a New Windows Credential:

1. In Credential Manager, click Windows Credentials
2. Click "Add a Windows credential"
3. Enter:
   • Internet or network address (e.g., server name, IP, or network path)
   • User name
   • Password
4. Click OK

Add a Web Credential:

1. Click Web Credentials
2. Click "Add a web credential"
3. Enter website URL, username, and password

Edit or Remove:

• Click the credential arrow, then "Edit" or "Remove"
• Removing is permanent - no undo

6. Backup and Restore Credential Manager

Before reinstalling Windows or migrating to a new PC, backup your credentials!

How to Backup Credentials:

1. Open Credential Manager
2. Click "Back up Credentials" (top of the window)
3. Choose a location to save the .crd backup file
4. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete when prompted (security measure)
5. Enter a password to protect the backup file
6. Save the file to a safe location (USB drive, cloud storage)

How to Restore Credentials:

1. Open Credential Manager on the new PC
2. Click "Restore Credentials"
3. Select your backup .crd file
4. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete when prompted
5. Enter the password you used during backup
6. Credentials are restored

7. Easier Recovery: SterJo Windows Credentials (Free Tool)

SterJo Windows Credentials is a dedicated tool that recovers all stored credentials without navigating through Control Panel menus—and it works directly from your Windows user profile data.

How to Use SterJo Windows Credentials:

1. Download the tool (installer or portable version)
2. Run it (no installation required for portable)
3. View all recovered credentials in an organized table
4. Click "Save Report" to backup to a file

Methods Compared

8. Network Credentials & Remote Desktop

Mapped Drives and Network Shares

When you connect to a network share and check "Remember my credentials," it's stored in Credential Manager. To manage them:

1. Open Windows Credentials section
2. Look for entries starting with TERMSRV/ (Remote Desktop) or network paths
3. Edit or remove as needed

Fix "Access Denied" or "Credentials Not Working"

If you're getting access errors to a network share:

1. Remove the stored credential for that resource
2. Reconnect and enter credentials fresh
3. This often fixes authentication issues

9. Troubleshooting Common Credential Manager Issues

❌ Can't See "Show" Button

You need administrator privileges. Run Control Panel as administrator.

❌ "Show" Button Grayed Out

Some credentials (like domain credentials) may not allow viewing for security reasons. Use SterJo Windows Credentials tool instead.

❌ Forgotten Windows Password

Use the portable version of SterJo Windows Credentials from a USB drive - it does not require manually opening Credential Manager.

❌ Credentials Not Working After Password Change

If you changed your domain or network password, old stored credentials may fail. Remove them and reconnect.

❌ Credential Manager Won't Open

Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (as admin) to check system files, or try the command line method: rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr

When Credentials Cannot Be Recovered

• The Windows user account was deleted
• The profile folder was removed
• BitLocker encryption prevents access
• The vault files are corrupted

In these cases, recovery may not be possible unless you have a backup.

📚 Related Guides

Master Your Windows Credentials

Windows Credential Manager is a powerful but often overlooked feature. Whether you need to recover a forgotten network password, troubleshoot connection issues, or prepare for a system migration, knowing how to access and manage these credentials saves time and frustration.

For quick recovery without navigating menus or remembering Windows passwords, SterJo Windows Credentials gives you instant access to everything stored in your vault.

Download SterJo Windows Credentials Free →

Pro tip: Back up your credentials today—before you need them. A few clicks now can save hours of frustration later.