Where SMB credentials are stored on your computer
SMB (Server Message Block) is the protocol Windows uses to connect to shared folders and printers on a network. Your SMB username and password are the credentials you use to access those shared resources — they're usually the same as your Windows login, but not always. Windows stores these credentials in a few places depending on how you set up the connection.
The most common location is the Windows Credential Manager, which holds saved usernames and passwords for network shares. You can open it by typing "Credential Manager" into the Windows search box, then selecting "Manage user credentials." Look for entries labeled with the server name or IP address of the shared folder you're trying to access — these will show the username, though the password itself is hidden for security.
If you connected to a shared folder by typing in a username and password directly, Windows may have saved those credentials automatically. If you're not sure whether credentials were saved, try disconnecting from the share and reconnecting — if Windows doesn't prompt you for a password, it means credentials are stored somewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Your SMB username is usually your Windows login name, but check Credential Manager to see what was actually saved for each network share.
- Windows Credential Manager stores SMB passwords, but displays only the username — you cannot view the saved password through the GUI.
- If you forgot the password, you will need to disconnect from the share and reconnect, entering the correct credentials manually.
- The person who set up the shared folder (usually your IT department or network administrator) can reset your SMB password or tell you what it is.
Checking Credential Manager for saved SMB logins
Open Credential Manager by pressing the Windows key, typing "Credential Manager," and selecting "Manage user credentials" from the results. The window that opens has two tabs: "Web Credentials" and "Windows Credentials." SMB network shares are stored under "Windows Credentials," so click that tab.
Look for entries that show a server name or IP address — these are your network shares. Click on any entry to expand it and see the username that was saved. The password field will show dots or be blank; Windows does not display saved passwords in Credential Manager for security reasons. If you see the share you're trying to access listed here, the username shown is what Windows is using to connect.
If you don't see your share listed, it means either no credentials were saved, or you haven't connected to that share yet. In that case, you'll need to ask the person who manages the network share for the correct username and password.
Finding your SMB username if you're already connected
If you're already connected to a shared folder and want to know what username is being used, open File Explorer and navigate to the shared folder. Right-click on the folder, select "Properties," then look for the "Location" field at the top — this shows the full network path, usually in the format \\servername\sharename.
The username being used is harder to see directly, but you can check by opening Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in Windows) and typing net use. This command lists all your active network connections and shows the username for each one. Look for the server name that matches your shared folder — the username will be displayed next to it.
If the output shows your Windows username next to the share, that's the SMB username being used. If it shows a different name, that's the account that was saved in Credential Manager for that particular share.
Resetting a forgotten SMB password
If you've forgotten the password for a network share, you cannot reset it yourself through Windows — you need to contact the person or department that manages the shared folder. This is usually your IT department, network administrator, or the owner of the computer hosting the share.
When you contact them, have the server name or IP address ready (you can find this in the "Location" field of the shared folder's properties). Tell them the username you're trying to use and ask them to reset the password or confirm what it should be. They may send you a new temporary password, or they may ask you to set a new one yourself through their network management system.
Once you have the new password, disconnect from the share in Windows by right-clicking it in File Explorer and selecting "Disconnect," then reconnect and enter the new credentials. Windows will ask if you want to save the credentials — select yes if you want to avoid typing them in every time.
Removing old or incorrect SMB credentials
If you have old credentials saved for a share you no longer use, or if you saved the wrong username and password, you can remove them from Credential Manager. Open Credential Manager, click the "Windows Credentials" tab, find the entry for that share, and click "Remove." Windows will delete the saved credentials.
The next time you try to connect to that share, Windows will prompt you for a username and password. Enter the correct ones, and if you want Windows to remember them, check the box before clicking OK. This is useful if you've changed your network password or if you're switching to a different account for that particular share.
If you remove credentials but then try to reconnect and Windows still doesn't prompt you, it may mean the share is still connected. Disconnect it first by right-clicking in File Explorer and selecting "Disconnect," then try again.
Understanding the difference between your Windows login and SMB username
Your Windows login (the username and password you use to sign into your computer) is often the same as your SMB username, especially on a company network. However, they can be different. For example, your Windows login might be "jsmith" but the SMB username for a particular share might be "shared_user" or something set up specifically for that folder.
This happens when a network administrator creates a shared folder and assigns specific usernames to it rather than using individual Windows logins. In those cases, Credential Manager will show the SMB username (not your Windows username) for that share. If you're unsure which one is correct, check Credential Manager first — what's listed there is what Windows is actually using to connect.
If you're on a domain-connected computer (common in offices), your SMB username might include the domain name, like "DOMAIN\username." This is normal and you don't need to change it — Windows handles the domain part automatically when you connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the actual SMB password saved in Windows?
No. Windows Credential Manager shows the username but hides the password for security. If you need to know the password, you must contact the network administrator or the person who set up the shared folder and ask them to tell you or reset it.
What if I see multiple usernames for the same server in Credential Manager?
This usually means you've connected to that server with different usernames at different times, and Windows saved both. When you connect, Windows will use whichever one is listed first, but you can remove the old ones if you no longer need them. Right-click each entry and select "Remove."
Do I need the same SMB username and password on every computer?
Not necessarily. Each computer stores its own credentials in its own Credential Manager. If you use multiple computers on the same network, you may need to enter SMB credentials on each one separately. However, if the network is domain-connected, your domain login usually works on all computers automatically.
What does "access denied" mean when I try to connect to a share?
It usually means the username or password is wrong, or the account doesn't have permission to access that particular share. Try disconnecting and reconnecting with the correct credentials. If you're still denied, contact the network administrator — they may need to add your account to the share's permission list.
Can I change my SMB password myself?
It depends on your network setup. On a domain network, you usually change your SMB password the same way you change your Windows password (Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then "Change a password"). On a workgroup network, the administrator of that specific computer must change it for you.