Where Does Windows Store Saved Credentials?
Windows Credential Manager vault files (Credentials and Vault folders) and the supported backup route.
Last updated
Credential Manager stores generic and web credentials as encrypted files under AppData Local, split between Credentials and Vault folders. The encryption ties to your Windows login.
That binding is the whole security model. File copies without the login are useless, which makes the Control Panel export the only portable backup.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Credentials
DPAPI-encrypted to the current user login. Copying files elsewhere does not transfer them. Use Control Panel Credential Manager backup or cmdkey for management.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up saved Windows credentials?
Use Credential Manager > Windows Credentials > Back up Credentials in Control Panel. It exports a .crd file protected by password. Restoring needs the same user context.
Can I delete a saved password?
Yes, via Credential Manager or cmdkey. The on-disk files are DPAPI-encrypted to your login, so copying them to another machine or user renders them unreadable.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.