What does credential manager do?

Answered by Robert Dupre

Credential Manager is a useful tool that allows you to conveniently view and manage your saved credentials for various websites, connected applications, and networks. It serves as a centralized location where you can store and access your login information, making it easier to sign in to your accounts without the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords.

To open Credential Manager, you can simply type “credential manager” in the search box on the taskbar, and then select the Credential Manager Control panel from the search results. Once opened, you will find different sections that categorize the types of credentials stored.

One of the main features of Credential Manager is the ability to view your saved web credentials. This includes usernames and passwords that you have saved while signing in to websites using browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. By selecting the “Web Credentials” section in Credential Manager, you can see a list of websites for which you have saved login information. This can be particularly helpful when you have multiple accounts for different websites and struggle to remember all the associated usernames and passwords.

Credential Manager also allows you to view and manage your saved Windows credentials. These credentials are used to automatically sign in to networked computers, servers, or other devices. For example, if you have set up your computer to automatically log in to a network share or a remote desktop, the credentials for those connections can be found and managed in the “Windows Credentials” section of Credential Manager.

In addition to web and Windows credentials, Credential Manager also stores credentials for connected applications. These credentials are typically used by applications that require authentication to access certain services or resources. This can include email clients, FTP programs, or any other software that requires login information. By accessing the “Generic Credentials” section in Credential Manager, you can view and manage the saved credentials for such applications.

Now, let me share a personal experience to illustrate the usefulness of Credential Manager. I often find myself struggling to remember passwords for various websites and applications. It can be frustrating to constantly reset passwords or go through the process of recovering an account. However, since discovering Credential Manager, I have been able to save and securely store my login information in one place. This has significantly reduced the time and effort required to sign in to my accounts, as I can easily access the stored credentials whenever needed.

Credential Manager is a valuable tool that helps you manage and access your saved credentials for websites, connected applications, and networks. By centralizing your login information, it simplifies the sign-in process and eliminates the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords. Whether you are a frequent internet user, a professional managing various network connections, or simply someone looking for a more organized approach to password management, Credential Manager can be a helpful tool in your digital life.