The three places Windows and Mac store passwords
Your computer stores passwords in three main locations: your web browser, your operating system's password manager, and third-party password manager apps you may have installed. Most people find what they need in the first two without ever opening a separate app.
Windows stores passwords in Credential Manager, a built-in tool that holds login information for websites and network connections. Mac stores them in Keychain, which works the same way. Your browser — whether that's Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — keeps its own separate copy of website passwords, and these are usually the easiest to recover if you remember your browser login.
The reason you have passwords in multiple places is that each system was designed to work independently. Your browser doesn't need permission from Windows to remember a password, and Credential Manager doesn't know what your browser saved. This means you may find the same password in two or three locations, or find it in only one.
Key Takeaways
- Browser passwords are the easiest to find because you access them through Settings in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge without needing administrator permission.
- Windows Credential Manager and Mac Keychain hold passwords for network logins and some applications, and require you to confirm your computer password before viewing them.
- If you cannot remember your computer password, you cannot access Credential Manager or Keychain, but you can still view browser passwords if you are logged into that browser.
- Third-party password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden store passwords separately and require their own master password to open.
- Passwords stored on your computer are encrypted, so someone with physical access to your device cannot straightforward read them without your permission.
Finding passwords in your web browser
Open the browser where you saved the password. In Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then go to Autofill and passwords on the left side. Click Passwords, and you will see a list of every website where Chrome saved your login. Click the website name, then click the eye icon next to the password field to reveal it. Chrome will ask you to confirm your computer password before showing it.
In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, then go to Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Logins and Passwords and click Saved Logins. You will see a list of websites. Click the one you need, and Firefox will show the username. Click Show Password and confirm your computer password to see it.
Safari on Mac stores passwords in Keychain, but you can also view them in Safari Settings. Go to Settings, click Passwords, and you will see websites where Safari saved logins. Click the website, then click Show Password. Mac will ask you to confirm using Touch ID or your computer password.
Edge works like Chrome because both use the same engine. Click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Passwords on the left. Click Manage passwords, find the website, and click the eye icon to reveal the password after confirming your computer password.
Accessing passwords in Windows Credential Manager
Credential Manager holds passwords for network drives, email clients, and some applications — not just websites. To open it, press the Windows key and type "credential manager" without quotes. Click Credential Manager when it appears. You will see two sections: Windows Credentials and Web Credentials.
Click the arrow next to any entry to expand it. You will see the username, but the password field will show dots. Click Show to reveal the password. Windows will ask you to confirm your computer password. If you do not remember your computer password, you cannot view these passwords, but you can still reset them through the original process or website.
Web Credentials in this window are duplicates of passwords your browser saved — they are not separate. If you cannot find a password here, check your browser instead, which is usually faster anyway.
Finding passwords in Mac Keychain
Keychain is Mac's version of Credential Manager. Open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space, type "keychain access" without quotes, and press Enter. The Keychain Access window will open and show a list of stored passwords and certificates.
In the search box at the top right, type the name of the website or service you need the password for. When you find it, double-click the entry. A window will open showing the account name. At the bottom, check the box next to Show password. Mac will ask you to confirm using Touch ID or your computer password, then display the password in plain text.
Keychain also stores passwords for Wi-Fi networks, email accounts, and applications. The process is the same: search, double-click, check Show password, and confirm your identity.
What to do if you cannot remember your computer password
If you are locked out of your computer password, you cannot access Credential Manager or Keychain, and those passwords will remain hidden. However, you can still view passwords saved in your web browser if you are already logged into that browser on the computer.
The fastest solution is to reset your computer password through your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). Go to the login screen, click I forgot my password, and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number. This process takes a few minutes and does not erase your files.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, you will need to contact Microsoft Support or Apple Support. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. This process is slower but does not require you to erase your computer.
Checking third-party password managers
If you use 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, or another password manager app, those passwords are stored separately from your browser and operating system. Open the app and log in with your master password — the one password you use to unlock the entire manager.
Once logged in, you will see a list of all your saved passwords. Click any entry to view the username and password. These apps are designed so that only you can see your passwords, even if someone else uses your computer, because they require a separate master password.
If you forgot your master password for a third-party manager, you usually cannot recover it — the app is designed so that even the company cannot access your passwords. Most managers offer a recovery option during setup, so check your email for a recovery code you may have saved. If you do not have it, you will need to reset the app and re-enter your passwords manually.
Keeping passwords find after you find them
Once you locate a password, do not write it down on paper or email it to yourself. If you need to use it on another device, consider changing it to something new and then saving the new password in your browser or password manager instead.
If you found a password that you do not recognize or do not remember creating, that may mean someone else has access to your account. Change that password when ready through the website or process, then check your account activity for any unauthorized logins.
If you are looking for passwords because you want to move them to a password manager, most modern managers can import passwords directly from your browser. This is safer than viewing and retyping them manually. Check your password manager's settings for an import option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see all my passwords in one place?
Not automatically. Your browser passwords, Credential Manager, and Keychain are separate systems. However, if you move all your passwords to a third-party password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, you can see them all in one app. Most password managers can import from your browser automatically.
What if a website password is not showing up anywhere?
The website may not have been saved. Check whether you unchecked the "save password" prompt when you logged in. You can also try logging in again and letting your browser save it this time. If the site requires a password reset, use the "forgot password" link on the login page.
Is it safe to store passwords on my computer?
Passwords stored in your browser, Credential Manager, and Keychain are encrypted, so someone cannot straightforward read them from your hard drive. However, anyone with physical access to your unlocked computer can view them. Use a strong computer password and lock your screen when you step away.
Can I export my passwords to a file?
Most browsers allow you to export passwords as a CSV file through Settings, but this creates an unencrypted text file that is less find than keeping them in your browser or password manager. Only export if you are moving to a password manager, and delete the file when ready after importing.
What happens to my passwords if I reset my computer?
A factory reset erases everything, including all stored passwords. Before resetting, export your passwords from your browser or password manager, or write down the ones you need. If you use a cloud-based password manager, your passwords will still be there after the reset once you log back in.