Unable to show password in Credential Manager

[Batman37]

I normally log in to my Win11 PC via facial "Hello". That works well, and also logs me into my Microsoft Account. I also have a login PIN, which is not (supposed to be) the same as the login password, which I don't know. I can access Credential Manager, as a way to see the password. However, the password appears only as asterisks; but there is no Show option. As far as I can tell I have full Administrator privileges. I don't necessarily need to change or reset my password; I just want to know what it is, in case I should ever need it to log in or recover. The Show option does appear in some other places in Credential Manager, but not for my password. Why the block, and how can I remove it? Thanks for any advice or words of wisdom.

 

[ChatGPT]

Short answer: Windows won’t show your Microsoft account password in Credential Manager by design — it’s not stored there in plain text and Windows Hello / passwordless sign‑ins intentionally hide or replace the password option. You can’t “remove the block” to reveal the password; you must reset it via Microsoft if you don’t know it.
Why this happens (plain language)

• A Microsoft Account password is an online account credential (not a plain text local password) and Windows doesn’t keep it in a place you can reveal. Windows stores credentials using protected/hashed formats (DPAPI/TPM, passkeys, Windows Hello) so the plaintext password is not available to show.
• Windows Hello / the “passwordless” setting can remove or hide the password prompt on the sign‑in screen; Microsoft intentionally pushes passwordless sign‑ins (PIN/face/fingerprint or passkeys) and limits local password hint/display behavior for Microsoft accounts. g want to be able to sign in with a password in future (instead of only Hello/PIN), turn off the “only allow Windows Hello sign‑in for Microsoft accounts” option: Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options > toggle off “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign‑in for Microsoft accounts on this device.” That will make the password input available at sign‑in — but it won’t reveal the current password if you don’t already know it.
• If you don’t know the Microsoft account ft’s online recovery/reset: sign in at account.microsoft.com (Security → Password security → Change password) or click “I forgot my password” on the Windows sign‑in screen and follow the recovery steps (email/phone verification). That’s the supported / secure way to regain access.
• If you want a local fallback account (so you’re not locked ou), create a local administrator account: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add account > “I don’t have this person’s sign‑in info” → “Add a user without a Microsoft account” and set a password you know.

Why even an Administrator can’t reveal it

• Administrator rights do not let you recover plaintext Microsoft account passwords from Windows. Credentials are protected by design (encrypted with account/TPM/DPAPI). Any tool that claims to “reveal” your Microsoft account password from Credential Manager is either wrong or using risky methods; the correct approach is account recovery/reset via Microsoft.

A few practical tips

• If you use a browser that syncs passwords (Edge/Chrome) chec passwords (they show the password if you authenticate). If you used Microsoft’s Password Manager or Authenticator passkeys, check them in your Microsoft account or the Authenticator app.
• Avoid third‑party “password recovery” tools unless you fully trust them — they can be malware or cause data loss. If you want help safely resetting the password or creating a local fallback account, tell me and I’ll walk you through the exact steps.

If you’d like, I can:

• Walk you step‑by‑step through resetting your Microsoft password via the Microsoft account site, or
• Walk you through creating a local admin account and disabling the passwordless-only setting so you regain a password sign‑in option.

Which would you prefer?

 

[Batman37]

Thanks ChatGPT. I think I know how to reset my Microsoft password; but it would be very assuring if you can list the steps for me.

 

[ChatGPT]

Good — here are clear, step‑by‑step instructions (and a couple of useful tips) to reset your Microsoft account password. I’ll give the easiest/recommended method first (from another device), then the in‑place Windows option and a few troubleshooting notes.
Recommended — reset from another device (browser)

1. On another PC, phone, or tablet open a browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com and sign in (or go straight to the Security section).
2. Click Security → Password security (you may be prompted to sign in again). Then choose Change password (or click “Forgot my password” if you can’t sign in). This begins the standard Microsoft password reset flow. ntity: Microsoft will offer to send a code to one of your recovery methods (alternate email, phone, or the Authenticator app). Pick the method you can access, enter the code you receive, and continue.
3. Enter a new str it, and finish. Use a unique password you don’t reuse elsewhere.
4. After the change, sign back into your PC and any apps (Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, Mail) that use the Microsoft account — they may prompt you to re‑authenticate.

Reset directly from the Windows sign‑in screen

1. At the Windows sign‑in screen, click the password field (or Sign‑in options) and choose the link “I forgot my password” / “Forgot my password?” (wording can vary).
2. Windows will start the same Microsoft online recovery flow: you’ll verify identity with a code sent to your recovery contact, then set a new password. This requires an internet connection.

If you’re already signed in and want to . Settings → Accounts → Your info → Manage my Microsoft account (opens browser).

1. Then go to Security → Password security → Change password.

If you don’t have access to your recovery email or phone

• Onp choose “I don’t have any of these” (or the account recovery form). Microsoft will ask for information about the account (old passwords, when you created the account, commonly used services) to verify ownership. This process can take longer and isn’t guaranteed, but it’s the official route.

A couple of extra points that are useful to know

• Microsoft accounts don’t show pWindows sign‑in screen (hints are for local accounts), so you’ll need the online reset/recovery flow if you can’t remember the password.
• If you use Windows Hello (face/PIN) you can keep using that after you reset the account password — W‑local and separate — but some apps or services may require the new password the next time they sync. Microsoft has moved toward passwordless flows (Hello / passkeys), so you may want to add the Authenticator app or update your security info for easier future recovery.

Security tips

• Add or confirm at least one recovery phone number and alternate email in Security → Update your security info.
• Enable the Microsoft Authenticator app (more convenient and often faster for verification).
• After successful reset, consider signing out other devices (Security → Review recent activity / sign‑out everywhere) if you suspect compromise.

If you want, I can:

• Walk you through the exact clicks on the Microsoft site while you do it, or
• Help you check and update your recovery phone/email and enable the Authenticator app step‑by‑step.

Which help would you like?

 

[Batman37]

Thanks ChatGPT. I used the "already signed in" procedure above, and as far as I can tell my MS account password was changed without any problems or confusion. That said, I have not yet actually tried to use it to sign in.

 

[ChatGPT]

Nice — glad the reset went smoothly. A few quick, practical next steps so you can confirm the change and avoid any surprises.
1) Test the new password (easy, recommended)

• On another device/browser: sign in at account.microsoft.com to confirm the password works online (Security → Password security). This is the fastest confirmation. : Sign out or restart, then sign in with your Microsoft account and the new password. To sign out: Start → click your profile picture → Sign out; then at the lock/sign‑in screen choose the password option and enter the new password. If the password is accepted you’re done.

2) If you can’t geto appear at sign‑in

• Windows can be set to allow only Windows Hello (PIN/face) and hide the password input. If you don’t see a password field or it’s hidden, go to Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options and toggle off “For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign‑in for Microsoft accounts on this device.” That will present the password option at sign‑in (it won’t reveal the password; it only allows you to type it).

3) Troubleshooting if the new password d internet access (Microsoft account sign‑in may require reaching Microsoft servers).

• Check Caps Lock / NumLock and keyboard layout (language).
• If you still can’t sign in, use the “I forgot my password” / account recovery flow at sign‑in or at account.microsoft.com; Microsoft will send a code to your recovery email/phone.

4) After successful sign‑in — housekeeping

• Re‑authenticate crosoft account: OneDrive, Mail/Outlook, Teams, Microsoft Store may prompt for the new password.
• Update any saved copies of the password (browser password manager, other devices, or apps that store credentials).
• Consider verifying and updating your recovery info (phone, alternate email) and enabling the Microsoft Authenticator for easier future verification.

5) Optional safety step

• If you’re worried about account compromise, go to Securitivity and optionally choose to “Sign out everywhere” to force re‑authentication on all devices.

If you like, I can:

• Walk you through signing out and testing on your PC step‑by‑step, or
• Help chery phone/email and enable the Authenticator app.

Which would you like me to do?