Where Windows 10 stores passwords and why you might want to remove one

Windows 10 keeps passwords in two places: the Credential Manager (which stores website logins and network passwords) and your browser's built-in password manager (Chrome, Edge, Firefox each have their own). When you delete a password from Windows, you're telling the system to stop remembering it — the next time you visit that website or service, you'll have to type it in by hand.

You might delete a password because you've changed it and the old one is now wrong, because you're sharing a computer and don't want someone else to log in as you, or because you're selling or giving away the device. Deleting a password doesn't change the password itself anywhere else — it just removes it from this one computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Passwords saved in Windows Credential Manager are deleted through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, or through Control Panel > Credential Manager.
  • Passwords saved in your web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) are deleted in that browser's settings, not in Windows itself.
  • Deleting a saved password from Windows does not change the actual password on the website or service — it only removes it from this computer.
  • If you forget the password after deleting it, you can reset it on the website or service using the "Forgot password" link.

Delete a password through Windows Credential Manager

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Sign-in options. Scroll down to Password and click Manage. This opens Credential Manager, where Windows lists every saved password.

Find the entry you want to delete — it will show the website or service name. Click on it to expand it, then click Remove. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Yes. The password is now deleted from this computer.

If the Settings path doesn't work on your version of Windows 10, you can reach Credential Manager directly: press the Windows key, type "credential manager", and open the app. Look for Windows Credentials or Generic Credentials depending on what type of password you saved. Find the entry, click the dropdown arrow next to it, and select Remove.

Delete a password saved in Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Passwords in the left sidebar. You'll see a list of all saved passwords. Find the one you want to delete, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove.

If you want to delete all saved passwords at once, go back to Settings and select Clear browsing data. Check the box for Passwords, choose your time range (or select All time), and click Clear now. This removes every password Edge has stored.

Delete a password saved in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Settings, then Autofill and passwords in the left sidebar, then Passwords. Find the password you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove.

To delete all passwords at once, go to Settings and select Clear browsing data from the left sidebar. Check Passwords and other sign-in data, set the time range to All time, and click Clear data.

Delete a password saved in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Logins and Passwords and click Saved Logins. Find the password you want to delete, select it, and click the Remove button.

You can also search for a specific site by typing its name in the search box at the top of the Saved Logins window. To delete all saved passwords, select them all (Ctrl+A), then click Remove.

What happens after you delete a password

Once you delete a saved password, Windows and your browser will no longer fill it in automatically. The next time you visit that website or service, you'll need to type your password by hand. If you don't remember it, use the website's "Forgot password" or "Reset password" link to create a new one.

Deleting a password from your computer does not affect the password on the actual website or service. If someone else logs into that website using a different device, they'll still be able to access the account — deleting the saved password only affects this computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete a saved password, can I get it back?

No. Once you delete a password from Windows or your browser, it's gone from that device. If you need to log in again and don't remember the password, use the website's password reset feature. You can always save it again after you log in.

Does deleting a password change it on the actual website?

No. Deleting a saved password only removes it from your computer. The password itself stays the same on the website or service. Anyone logging in from a different device with the correct password can still access the account.

Will deleting a password log me out of websites?

No. Deleting a saved password doesn't log you out. You'll stay logged in on that website until you manually log out or your session expires. The next time you close and reopen your browser, you'll need to log in again by typing your password.

Can I delete just one password without deleting all of them?

Yes. In Credential Manager and in every browser, you can delete passwords one at a time by finding the specific entry and clicking Remove. You don't have to delete everything at once.

What's the difference between deleting a password in Windows and deleting it in my browser?

Windows Credential Manager stores passwords for network services and some applications. Your browser stores passwords for websites. Deleting from one does not delete from the other — if a password is saved in both places, you need to delete it in both.