“I’ve been looking everywhere for my saved passwords on my windows 10 PC. My PC seem to have a problem accepting my new passwords after I changed them. When I do manage to find my way to credential manager and manage passwords, it demands ID verification with a username and password, which I can’t even remember having set up in the first place. I could really use some help with this issue, before I end up in the nut house!” From Microsoft Community
There are some users have this problem. For this reason, we collated some of the most useful information and hence, have tailored this post specifically to make users understand where are passwords stored in windows 10/11 and how to find passwords on windows 10/11! So stay glued to the article and you’ll get the answers yourself.
- Part 1: Where Are Windows Passwords Stored
- Part 2: How to Reset Windows 10/11 Administrator Password
Basically, all your password or credentials are stored in Credentials Manager application of Windows 10. They are generally store in an encrypted form. Now, if in case, you require to view the saved passwords of websites, you surely can do that but it will require your identity verification. You’ll be asked to put in the Administrator password to achieve this. Please remember, you cannot change passwords of the existing user accounts from here except the guest account’s password (if any).
Now, since you’ve got your answer to where are passwords stored in windows 10, it’s now time to understand how to find passwords on windows 10. Here is the detailed step by step procedure to know where your Windows passwords are stored:
Method 1: Find Windows 10/11 Password with Control Panel
Step 1: Hit the “Windows” key on your keyboard to launch the Start Menu and then punch in the “Credential Manager”. On the results, select Credential Manager or simply hit “Enter” button.
Step 2: Credential Manager will now crop up over your screen. Now, under the Manage your Credentials section, you’ll have to choices “Web Credentials” and “Windows Credentials”.
Step 3: Then, opt for the one as per your preference, let’s opt for “Web Credentials” first. You’ll now be able to see all stored passwords of websites right here. Hit on “downward arrow” besides any one of them, followed by “Show”. You’ll be asked to punch in the Administrator password and voila! The encrypted password is now decrypted and displayed as plain text!
Step 4: Now, if you opt for “Windows Credentials”, you’ll be surprised to see very few credentials here.
Method 2: Find Windows 10/11 Password with Command Prompt
Step 1: Hit the “Windows + R” key combination over your keyboard to launch the Run box. Now, punch in the “cmd” command to launch Command Prompt.
Step 2: Over the Command Prompt window, you need to punch in the following command line and execute it.
- rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr
Step 3: Stored User Names and Passwords window will now pop up over your screen. You can now add, remove or edit the passwords stored as per your preference. But remember, you do need an Admin password to perform the desired activity here.
Note: The View and Edit rule mentioned in the former part of this section, applies in this method too!
Method 3: Find Windows 10/11 Password in Registry
The Windows registry stores your administrator passwords, Where you can find your stored password on Windows 10/11.
Step 1:Open Windows Command Prompt and type regedit. Press Enter.
Step 2:When the Registry Editor window appears, navigate to the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
Step 3:Scroll down to DefaultPassword and double-click it.
Step 4:The default password will be displayed.
Note: There are some risks associated with this method. Tampering with the Windows registry can damage your operating system. If you are not familiar with this process, please choose a professional password manager.
Now that you know well about how to find passwords on windows 10, you must be wondering how you can edit the Windows User account password when you don’t remember the Admin password. Well hop on to the next step and you’ll have your solution!
Part 2: How to Reset Windows 10/11 Administrator Password
Since, you no longer remember the Administrator password, you’re simply locked out of performing any sort of activities that requires it. In such a case, you’re only left with resetting the Admin account password. For this purpose we would like to introduce, PassFab 4WinKey. This powerful tool is highly recommended for its success rate and the ability reset not only the Admin account password, but it also can reset or remove or change the Microsoft account or local account password. And that too, without the need of an old password, interesting, isn’t it? Let’s understand how to use this tool.
Step 1: Downloaded and install on your computer. Launch PassFab 4WinKey, plug in an empty CD/DVD or USB drive and click “Burn”.
Step 2: Once process completes, reboot your PC. On the first boot screen, hit “F12/Esc” button to launch Boot Menu followed by selecting boot media as the USB drive.
Step 3: PassFab 4Winkey will now crop up on your screen. Now, select the OS that has your Admin account and hit “Next”.
Step 4: Finally, select the required “Admin account” and hit on “Next” button. Upon completion, the password will be removed from your Admin account. Get your PC rebooted and you’re done.
Bottom Line
While moving towards the end of the topic where are passwords stored in windows 10/11 registry, we can conclude that with the aforementioned tutorials, you sure no longer have to look for how to find stored passwords on windows 10/11. Moreover, you also have a powerful solution at hand in case you require resetting, removing or changing Admin account password.
Have you ever forgotten a password and wished you could just view it instead of going through the tedious process of resetting it? Well, if you’re a Windows 10 user, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will explore various methods to view user passwords on Windows 10. Whether you need to recover your own forgotten password or you’re assisting a friend who has lost access to their account, these methods will come in handy. We will discuss the steps for each method in detail, along with their pros and cons. So, let’s dive in and learn how to view user passwords on Windows 10!
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Viewing User Passwords on Windows 10
Windows 10 is designed with security in mind, and this includes protecting user passwords. As a result, viewing user passwords directly from Windows settings is not a straightforward task. Microsoft has implemented measures to prevent unauthorized access to user passwords as part of their commitment to user privacy and security. However, there are still methods available that can help you view user passwords on Windows 10. In the following sections, we will explore these methods.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you should prepare for to ensure a smooth process. Here’s a list of things you’ll need:
1. Access to an administrator account: To view user passwords on Windows 10, you’ll need administrative privileges on the computer.
2. Physical access to the computer: You’ll need physical access to the computer on which you want to view the user password. Remote methods are not covered in this blog post.
3. Basic technical knowledge: While the methods outlined in this blog post are relatively straightforward, having some basic technical knowledge will be helpful.
Now that you’re prepared, let’s explore the methods to view user passwords on Windows 10!
Method 1: How to View User Passwords via Windows Settings
To view user passwords via Windows settings, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings.
2. Click on “Accounts” to open the Accounts settings page.
3. In the left sidebar, click on “Sign-in options.”
4. Scroll down to the “Password” section and click on “Manage your sign-in info.”
5. You’ll be prompted to enter your password or use a fingerprint/Windows Hello to access your account info. Enter the required credentials to proceed.
6. Under the “Passwords” section, you’ll see a list of saved credentials. Locate the desired account and click on it.
7. Click on the “Show” button next to the password field to view the password.
Pros:
| Pros | 1. Easy to access via Windows Settings. | 2. Does not require third-party software. | 3. User-friendly interface. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cons: | 1. Can only view passwords for accounts linked to the Microsoft account. | 2. Requires administrative privileges. | 3. Passwords are displayed in plain text, potentially compromising security if someone gains unauthorized access to your account. |
Method 2: How to View User Passwords Using Command Prompt
To view user passwords using Command Prompt, follow these steps:
1. Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt” from the menu.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: net user
3. You’ll see a list of user accounts on the computer. Identify the account for which you want to view the password.
4. Type the following command and press Enter, replacing “username” with the actual username: net user username
5. The command prompt will display various details about the user account, including the password (encrypted).
Pros:
| Pros | 1. Built-in feature in Windows, so no need for third-party software. | 2. Can be used to view passwords for both local and domain accounts. | 3. Does not require an internet connection. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cons: | 1. Passwords are displayed in encrypted form. | 2. Requires administrative privileges. | 3. Not suitable for users without technical knowledge. |
Method 3: How to View User Passwords Using a Password Reset Disk
To view user passwords using a password reset disk, follow these steps:
1. Insert the password reset disk into the computer for which you want to view the password.
2. On the login screen, click on “Reset password.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new password for the account.
4. Once the password reset is successful, you’ll be able to log in with the new password.
Pros:
| Pros | 1. Can be used to view passwords for both local and domain accounts. | 2. Provides a secure way to reset passwords. | 3. Doesn’t require administrative access to the computer. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cons: | 1. Requires a previously created password reset disk. | 2. Only works if a password reset disk was created before forgetting the password. | 3. Not suitable for immediate password recovery. |
Method 4: How to View User Passwords Using Third-Party Software
To view user passwords using third-party software, follow these steps:
1. Research and identify a reputable password recovery software that supports Windows 10.
2. Download and install the selected software on a separate computer.
3. Launch the software and follow the on-screen instructions to create a password recovery disk or USB drive.
4. Insert the password recovery disk or USB drive into the computer for which you want to view the password.
5. Restart the computer and boot from the password recovery disk or USB drive.
6. Follow the software’s instructions to view the user passwords on the computer.
Pros:
| Pros | 1. Can be used to view passwords for both local and domain accounts. | 2. Can recover passwords even when other methods fail. | 3. Some software offers additional features like password removal or account unlocking. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cons: | 1. Requires downloading and installing third-party software. | 2. May come at a cost if purchasing a premium version of the software. | 3. Potential risk of malware or data breach if using untrustworthy software. |
Why Can’t I View User Passwords?
There are several reasons why you may encounter difficulties viewing user passwords on Windows 10. Here are a few common reasons and their fixes:
1. Reason: User account type. If you’re using a standard user account, you won’t have the necessary privileges to view passwords.
Fix: Login with an administrator account or ask the administrator to provide the password.
2. Reason: Microsoft account authentication. If you’re using a Microsoft account to sign in, the password is managed by Microsoft and cannot be viewed directly within Windows settings.
Fix: Reset the password through the Microsoft account recovery process or use one of the other methods mentioned in this blog post.
3. Reason: Encrypted passwords. Windows encrypts user passwords for security purposes, making it difficult to view them directly.
Fix: Use a password recovery software or reset the password through other methods mentioned in this blog post.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when trying to view user passwords on Windows 10:
1. Regularly back up important passwords using a secure password manager.
2. Use strong, unique passwords for each account to minimize the impact of a compromised password.
3. Keep your computer and accounts secure by enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible.
5 FAQs about Viewing User Passwords on Windows 10
Q1: Can I view passwords for accounts that are not linked to a Microsoft account?
A: No, the methods mentioned in this blog post primarily apply to accounts linked to Microsoft accounts. For local user accounts or domain accounts, different methods may be required.
Q2: Are there any risks associated with using third-party password recovery software?
A: Yes, there is a potential risk of downloading and using untrustworthy or malicious software. It’s important to research and use reputable software from trusted sources.
Q3: Is it legal to view someone else’s password without their consent?
A: It is generally illegal to view someone else’s password without their consent, as it violates privacy and security laws. Always ensure you have the necessary permissions before attempting to view or recover passwords.
Q4: Can I use the methods mentioned in this blog post to view passwords on Windows 7 or older versions?
A: The methods mentioned in this blog post are primarily focused on Windows 10. For older versions of Windows, different methods may be required.
Q5: Is it recommended to view user passwords?
A: The act of viewing user passwords should only be done for legitimate reasons, such as password recovery or technical support. It is generally recommended to use secure password management practices and respect user privacy.
In Conclusion
While viewing user passwords on Windows 10 may seem challenging at first, there are methods available to assist in password recovery. Whether it’s through Windows Settings, Command Prompt, a password reset disk, or third-party software, each method has its pros and cons. It’s essential to understand the risks and legal implications associated with viewing user passwords and to always obtain the necessary permissions. Remember to prioritize user privacy and security, and employ strong password management practices to avoid the need for password recovery in the first place.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I view passwords for accounts that are not linked to a Microsoft account?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” No, the methods mentioned in this blog post primarily apply to accounts linked to Microsoft accounts. For local user accounts or domain accounts, different methods may be required.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Are there any risks associated with using third-party password recovery software?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes, there is a potential risk of downloading and using untrustworthy or malicious software. It’s important to research and use reputable software from trusted sources.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Is it legal to view someone else’s password without their consent?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” It is generally illegal to view someone else’s password without their consent, as it violates privacy and security laws. Always ensure you have the necessary permissions before attempting to view or recover passwords.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I use the methods mentioned in this blog post to view passwords on Windows 7 or older versions?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” The methods mentioned in this blog post are primarily focused on Windows 10. For older versions of Windows, different methods may be required.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Is it recommended to view user passwords?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” The act of viewing user passwords should only be done for legitimate reasons, such as password recovery or technical support. It is generally recommended to use secure password management practices and respect user privacy.”}}]}
Да, ребята, совсем уж бредовая, и глупая история со мной приключилась совсем недавно. В общем, очень много лет, для многих сайтов, соц. сетей, а также для некоторых зашифрованных дисков использовал я один, незамысловатый пароль. Использовал я его и дома, для основного/автономного пользователя Windows (не Microsoft account). Недавно, придя на работу, открыв Telegram, и уставившись в окно ввода код-пароля, я осознал, что не могу вспомнить свой основной пароль, от слова совсем. В тот же момент у меня началась паника «Как так? Провал в памяти? Что теперь делать?». Я всегда помнил довольно немалое количество паролей, но облажался, забыв именно тот, который решил не записывать, слишком понадеявшись на свою память. Что ж, будет мне уроком, и да, я знаю, что для восстановления различных онлайн аккаунтов можно использовать номер телефона, и почтовый ящик, а для BitLocker нужен ключ восстановления – со всем этим проблем нет, и я уверен, что доступ к 99% ресурсам я смогу восстановить. К сожалению, так не получится с основным пользователем windows 10, ибо, как я выразился ранее, профиль у меня автономный, не подвязанный к Microsoft account.
В данном случае есть два решения – сброс пароля, или же восстановление с помощью сторонних средств, и лично меня интересует больше второй вариант т.е. я хотел бы именно «УЗНАТЬ» свой старый пароль, не сбрасывая его. Для этого ребята в сети советуют использовать такие средства, как Ophcrack, L0phtCrack, и Elcomsoft System Recovery, но вот что действительно стоит использовать в данном случае, я не знаю. В общем, кто сталкивался с подобной задачей, прошу помощи, буду премного благодарен.
P.S. на компьютере еще имеется второй пользователь – моей сестры, доступ к нему имеется, но он не админский, возможно ли как ни будь через него выполнить поставленную задачу?
How do I find saved passwords in Windows 10? A large number of programs and websites usually prompt its users’ to save their passwords for later use in their PCs and mobile phones. This gets usually stored on software like Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messengers and popular browsers like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera (for both PCs and smart-phones) also provide this password saving feature. This password is usually stored in the secondary memory and can be retrieved even when the system is turned off. Specifically, these usernames, as well as their associated passwords, get stored in the registry, within the Windows Vault or within credential files. All such credentials get accumulated in an encrypted format, but can easily be decrypted just by entering your Windows password.
A frequent task that comes into play for all end-users is to uncover all the stored passwords on his/her computer. This eventually helps in recovering lost or forgotten access details to any specific online service or application. This is an easy task but depends on some of the aspects like the OS that the user is using or the application someone is using. In this article, we will show you different tools that can help you view different hidden encrypted passwords in your system.
Table of Contents
Method 1: Using Windows Credential Manager
Let us first get to know about this tool. It is a built-in Credential Manager of Windows that allows users to store their confidential username and passwords as well as other credentials that are entered in when a user logs on to any website or network. Storing these credentials in a manageable manner can help you automatically log you on to that site. This eventually reduces the time and effort of a user as they don’t have to type their login credentials every time they use this site. To see these usernames and passwords stored in the Windows Credential Manager, you have to go through the following steps –
1. Search for “Credential Manager” in the Start menu search box. Click on the search result to open.
Note: You’ll notice there are 2 categories: Web Credentials & Windows Credentials. Here your entire web credentials, as well as any passwords from sites which you saved during browsing using different browsers will be listed here.
2. Choose and Expand the link to see the password by clicking on the arrow button under the Web Passwords option and click on the “Show” button.
3. It will now prompt you to type your Windows password for decrypting the password and show it to you.
4. Again, when you click on Windows Credentials next to the Web Credentials, you will most likely see lesser credentials stored there unless you’re into a corporate environment. These are application and network-level credentials as and when you connect to network shares or network devices like the NAS.
Recommended: Reveal Hidden Passwords behind asterisk without any software
Method 2: Find Saved Passwords using Command Prompt
1. Press Windows Key + S to bring up search. Type cmd then right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
2. Now type the following command into cmd and hit Enter:
rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr
3. Once you hit Enter, stored Usernames and Passwords window will open.
4. You can now add, remove or edit the stored passwords.
Method 3: Using third-party tools
There are other 3rd party tools available that will help you view your passwords stored in your system. These are:
a) CredentialsFileView
1. Once downloaded, right-click on the “CredentialsFileView” application and choose Run as Administrator.
2. You will see the main dialog which will pop up. You will have to type in your Windows password at the bottom side and then press “OK”.
Note: Now it will be possible for you to see the list of different credentials stored on your computer. If you are on a domain, you will also see a lot more data in the form of a database having Filename, version modified time etc.
b) VaultPasswordView
This has the same functionality as that of CredentialsFileView, but it will look inside the Windows Vault. This tool is essential particularly for Windows 8 & Windows 10 users as these 2 OS stores the passwords of different apps like Windows Mail, IE, and MS. Edge, in the Windows Vault.
c) EncryptedRegView
1. Run this program, a new dialog box will pop up where the ‘Run as administrator’ box will be checked, press the “OK” button.
2. The tool will automatically scan the registry & decrypt your existing passwords it will fetch from the registry.
Also read: How to Create a Password Reset Disk
Using any of the three methods you will be able to view or find the saved passwords on Windows 10, but if you still have questions or doubts regarding this tutorial then feel free to ask them in the comment section.