Review and Remove Saved Passwords with Credential Manager in Windows 10/11

Review and Remove Saved Passwords with Credential Manager in Windows 10/11​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes
Windows can save sign-in information so you do not have to repeatedly enter usernames and passwords for network shares, remote desktops, connected apps, websites, and other services. This is convenient, but old or incorrect saved credentials can cause repeated login prompts, “Access denied” errors, failed Remote Desktop connections, or unwanted automatic sign-ins.
Credential Manager is the built-in Windows tool for reviewing and deleting many of these saved credentials. It is available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the steps are nearly identical because Credential Manager still opens through the classic Control Panel interface.
This tutorial walks you through how to safely review saved credentials, remove ones you no longer need, and avoid deleting entries that may still be important.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin:

1. Sign in to the Windows account whose saved credentials you want to review.
2. Make sure you know the passwords for any accounts you plan to remove from Credential Manager.
3. If this is a work, school, or managed PC, check with your IT administrator before deleting organization-related credentials.
4. Close apps that may be actively using saved credentials, such as Remote Desktop, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, VPN software, browsers, or network drive windows.

Note: Credential Manager stores credentials for the current Windows user profile. If another person signs in with a different Windows account, they will have their own separate saved credentials.

What Credential Manager Stores​

Credential Manager is divided into two main areas:

1. Web Credentials
   These are saved sign-ins for websites or web-related services that Windows can manage. Depending on your browser and Windows version, many modern browser passwords may instead be stored in the browser’s own password manager or synced account.
2. Windows Credentials
   These are saved credentials for Windows resources and connected services, such as:
   • Network shares
   • Remote Desktop connections
   • Mapped drives
   • Work or school resources
   • Microsoft apps and services
   • Generic app credentials
   • Some VPN, development, or third-party application entries

Important: Removing a credential does not delete the actual online account. It only removes the saved sign-in information from your Windows device.

Step 1: Open Credential Manager​

Method 1: Use Windows Search​

1. Click Start or select the Search box on the taskbar.
2. Type Credential Manager.
3. Select Credential Manager from the results.

Method 2: Use Control Panel​

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type control and select OK.
3. In Control Panel, select User Accounts.
4. Select Credential Manager.

Tip: In Windows 11, many settings have moved into the modern Settings app, but Credential Manager still uses the classic Control Panel layout.

Step 2: Choose Web Credentials or Windows Credentials​

Once Credential Manager opens, you will see two main buttons or tabs:

1. Select Web Credentials to review website-related saved sign-ins.
2. Select Windows Credentials to review saved credentials for apps, networks, Remote Desktop, and other Windows services.

For most troubleshooting tasks, such as fixing network share or Remote Desktop login problems, you will usually use Windows Credentials.

Step 3: Review Saved Web Credentials​

To review web credentials:

1. Select Web Credentials.
2. Look through the list of saved entries.
3. Select the small arrow next to an entry to expand it.
4. Review the displayed details, such as the website or service name and username.

If Windows allows the password to be shown:

1. Select Show next to the password field.
2. Enter your Windows account password, PIN, or Windows Hello verification if prompted.
3. Review the saved password.

Security Note: Only reveal saved passwords when you are in a private location. Anyone looking over your shoulder may be able to see sensitive information.

Step 4: Remove an Unwanted Web Credential​

To delete a saved web credential:

1. In Web Credentials, expand the credential you want to remove.
2. Confirm that the website or service name is the one you intend to delete.
3. Select Remove.
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

After removal, Windows will no longer use that saved credential. The next time you visit or access that service, you may be asked to sign in again.

Tip: If you are trying to remove passwords saved in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, also check that browser’s password manager. Credential Manager may not show every password saved by modern browsers.

Step 5: Review Saved Windows Credentials​

To review Windows credentials:

1. Select Windows Credentials.
2. Look for sections such as:
   • Windows Credentials
   • Generic Credentials
   • Certificate-Based Credentials, if present
3. Expand entries one at a time by selecting the arrow beside each item.
4. Review the service name, username, and related details.

Common entries may include names such as:

• A server or computer name
• A network path
• A Remote Desktop entry
• A Microsoft account entry
• An app or service name
• A generic credential created by software

For example, Remote Desktop credentials often begin with or include a target related to TERMSRV. Network credentials may reference a computer name, file server, or shared resource.

Warning: Do not remove credentials randomly. Some entries are used by Windows, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Teams, Outlook, VPN clients, developer tools, or work/school services. Removing them may sign you out or cause apps to request authentication again.

Step 6: Remove an Unwanted Windows Credential​

To delete a saved Windows credential:

1. Select Windows Credentials.
2. Expand the credential you want to remove.
3. Carefully check the target name and username.
4. Select Remove.
5. Select Yes or confirm when Windows asks if you want to permanently delete it.

The credential is removed immediately.
You may want to remove a Windows credential if:

1. The saved password is old or incorrect.
2. You changed your password but Windows keeps trying the old one.
3. You no longer use a network share, Remote Desktop connection, or app.
4. You are preparing to hand off or retire a PC.
5. You accidentally saved the wrong account.
6. You want Windows to prompt you again the next time you connect.

Step 7: Test the Affected App or Connection​

After removing a credential, test the related service.
For example:

1. Reopen File Explorer and connect to the network share again.
2. Launch Remote Desktop and connect to the remote PC.
3. Open the app that previously had login issues.
4. Sign in again when prompted.
5. If offered the option to save the password again, choose it only if you want Windows to remember it.

If the problem was caused by an outdated saved password, signing in again with the correct password should create a fresh saved credential.

Optional: List Saved Credentials with Command Prompt​

Beginners can safely use the graphical Credential Manager, but Windows also includes a command-line tool called cmdkey.
To list saved credentials:

1. Right-click Start.
2. Select Terminal, Windows Terminal, or Command Prompt.
3. Type:

cmdkey /list

1. Press Enter.

This displays stored credential targets for your user account.
To delete a specific credential, use:
cmdkey /delete:targetname
Replace targetname with the exact target shown in the list.

Warning: The command-line method is less forgiving because you must type the target correctly. If you are unsure, use Credential Manager instead.

Troubleshooting Tips​

I removed a credential, but the password still appears​

Check whether the password is saved somewhere else, such as:

1. Microsoft Edge password manager
2. Google Chrome password manager
3. Firefox password manager
4. A password manager extension
5. Microsoft Authenticator or another synced credential manager
6. The app’s own saved account settings

Credential Manager is only one place where sign-in information may be stored.

I deleted a credential and now an app keeps asking me to sign in​

This is expected. Removing a saved credential means Windows no longer has that saved sign-in. Sign in again with the correct username and password. If you trust the device, you can choose to save the credential again when prompted.

I cannot remove a work or school credential​

Some credentials may be controlled by your organization, device management policy, or Microsoft Entra/work account configuration. If the device is managed, contact your IT administrator before making further changes.

My network share keeps using the wrong username​

Remove the saved credential for that server or share from Windows Credentials, then reconnect to the share. When prompted, enter the correct username and password. If needed, include the domain or computer name in the username, such as:
DOMAIN\username
or:
COMPUTERNAME\username

What about passkeys?​

On newer Windows 11 versions, passkeys are managed separately in the Settings app under account-related sign-in options. Credential Manager is mainly for saved credentials such as passwords, usernames, and Windows/app/network credentials. If you are trying to remove a passkey, check Windows Settings rather than Credential Manager.

Best Practices for Saved Credentials​

1. Review credentials occasionally
   Check Credential Manager every few months, especially on shared or older PCs.
2. Remove credentials you no longer use
   Old network, Remote Desktop, or app credentials can create login conflicts.
3. Be cautious on shared computers
   Avoid saving passwords on devices used by multiple people.
4. Use strong account security
   Credential Manager is useful, but it is not a replacement for strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and good account hygiene.
5. Keep recovery options updated
   Before deleting saved passwords, make sure you can still access the associated account.

Conclusion​

Credential Manager is a simple but powerful Windows tool for reviewing and removing saved sign-in information. Whether you are cleaning up old passwords, fixing repeated login prompts, troubleshooting network access, or improving privacy on your PC, knowing where these credentials are stored can save time and frustration.
Used carefully, Credential Manager helps you keep your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device cleaner, more secure, and easier to troubleshoot.
Key Takeaways:

• Credential Manager lets you view and remove saved credentials for websites, apps, networks, and Windows services.
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 use a very similar Credential Manager interface.
• Removing a saved credential does not delete the online account; it only removes the saved sign-in from your PC.
• Be careful before deleting work, school, Microsoft 365, VPN, Remote Desktop, or network credentials.
• If a password still appears after removal, check your browser or password manager as well.

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.

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References​

1. Official source: support.microsoft.com
   

   Credential Manager in Windows - Microsoft Support

   Learn how to access Credential Manager.

   support.microsoft.com