How to Set Up and Use the Windows Credential Manager

The Windows Credential Manager is a built-in feature in Windows operating systems that allows you to securely store and manage your login credentials for various websites, applications, and networks. It eliminates the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords, providing a convenient way to access your accounts. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using the Windows Credential Manager.

Table of Contents

• Enabling the Credential Manager
• Adding Credentials
• Editing and Deleting Credentials
• Using Credentials in Applications

Enabling the Credential Manager

1. Open the Control Panel by pressing Windows + X on your keyboard and selecting "Control Panel" from the menu.
2. In the Control Panel window, locate and click on the User Accounts option.
3. Within the User Accounts window, click on Credential Manager.

Adding Credentials

1. Once Credential Manager is open, click on the Windows Credentials tab.
2. Under the section labeled "Generic Credentials," click on the Add a generic credential option.
3. In the Internet or network address field, enter the URL or network address of the site or application for which you want to save credentials.
4. Enter your username in the Username field and your password in the Password field.
5. Click OK to save the credentials.

Editing and Deleting Credentials

1. To edit a credential, locate the desired entry under the Windows Credentials tab in the Credential Manager.
2. Click on the credential you wish to edit, and then click on the Edit option.
3. Update the necessary information, such as the username or password, and click OK to save the changes.

To delete a credential, follow these steps:

1. Open Credential Manager and select the credential you want to remove.
2. Click on the Remove button, and then confirm the deletion.

Using Credentials in Applications

Now that you have saved your credentials, you can easily use them in various applications. This process will vary depending on the application in use. However, most applications have an option to remember your login information. Here's a general guide on how to access credentials within an application:

1. Open the application for which you stored the credentials.
2. Look for an option called Remember me or a similar checkbox during the login process.
3. If the option is available, make sure it is selected.
4. Otherwise, the application may automatically retrieve the saved credentials from the Windows Credential Manager.

Note: Some applications may not support automatic retrieval of credentials, in which case, you may need to manually copy and paste the credentials from the Credential Manager into the application's login form.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to set up and use the Windows Credential Manager. By utilizing this feature, you can simplify your login experience and securely manage your usernames and passwords.