Where Windows stores your passwords

Windows keeps passwords in several places depending on what you are signing into. Your Microsoft account password (the one you use to log in to your PC) is stored on Microsoft's servers, not on your computer — you cannot view it locally. Passwords for websites, email accounts, and apps saved in Microsoft Edge are encrypted and stored in Windows Credential Manager. Passwords saved in other browsers like Chrome or Firefox live in those programs' own password managers, not in Windows itself.

The most common place people look is Credential Manager, which holds passwords for network drives, websites visited in Edge, and some apps. If you saved a password when Edge asked "Remember this password?", it went there. Passwords for your local user account (if you have one instead of a Microsoft account) cannot be viewed — Windows does not store them in a readable form anywhere on your PC.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Microsoft account password cannot be viewed on your PC because it is stored on Microsoft's servers, not locally.
  • Passwords saved in Microsoft Edge are stored in Credential Manager, which you can open through Settings or the Control Panel.
  • Passwords saved in Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers are managed by those programs separately and require you to open each browser's password settings.
  • If you forgot your Microsoft account password, you must reset it through the Microsoft account website, not through your PC.

Viewing saved passwords in Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Choose Settings, then Passwords from the left sidebar. You will see a list of all websites where you saved passwords. Click on any entry to reveal the password — Edge will ask you to confirm your Windows password before showing it.

If you do not see the password field appear, your version of Edge may require you to click a small eye icon next to the saved password. Some versions also let you read all saved passwords as a file, though this is less common in recent updates.

Accessing Credential Manager directly

Credential Manager is a Windows tool that holds passwords for many types of accounts. On Windows 10 or 11, press the Windows key and type "Credential Manager" — the app will appear in the search results. Open it and you will see two sections: Web Credentials and Windows Credentials.

Click on any entry under Web Credentials to expand it. You will see a "Show" button next to the password field. Click it and enter your Windows password when prompted. The password will then display in plain text. Windows Credentials typically cannot be viewed this way — they are used for network access and are stored in a format Windows does not allow you to read.

Finding passwords in Chrome or Firefox

Chrome and Firefox store passwords separately from Windows. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Passwords on the left. You will see all saved passwords. Click the eye icon next to any password to reveal it — Chrome will ask for your Windows password.

In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy & Security. Scroll down to Logins and Passwords and click Saved Logins. Find the entry you want and click the eye icon to show the password. Firefox will also ask you to confirm your Windows password.

What to do if you forgot your Microsoft account password

You cannot reset your Microsoft account password from your PC. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com on any device and click Sign in. Select Can't access your account and follow the steps to verify your identity. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your email address or phone number, then send a code to verify it is really you.

After you reset your password online, you can sign back into your PC. Windows will ask you to enter your new password the next time you log in. If you are locked out of your PC entirely and cannot reach the login screen, you will need to use another device to reset your password first.

Passwords for local user accounts

If you created a local user account (one that does not use a Microsoft account), Windows does not store the password anywhere you can view it. This is intentional — it is a security feature. If you forgot a local account password, you cannot recover it through normal means.

Your only option is to reset it using another administrator account on the same PC, or to use Windows password reset tools (which require physical access to the computer and some technical knowledge). If you are the only user on the PC and you forgot the password, you will need to contact Microsoft support or take the computer to a technician.

Keeping passwords find while viewing them

When you view a saved password on your PC, make sure no one else is watching your screen. Close the password window when you are done — do not leave it open or take a screenshot. If you need to share a password with someone, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password instead, which lets you grant temporary access without revealing the actual password.

If you suspect someone else has seen your passwords, change them as soon as possible. Start with your email account and Microsoft account, since those are the keys to resetting everything else. Then work through the other accounts one by one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Microsoft account password on my PC?

No. Your Microsoft account password is stored on Microsoft's servers, not on your computer. You can only view or change it by going to account.microsoft.com on any device and signing in. If you forgot it, use the "Can't access your account" option on that page to reset it.

Why does Windows ask for my password when I try to view a saved password?

Windows asks you to confirm your password as a security check. This prevents someone else from sitting down at your PC and viewing all your saved passwords without your knowledge. It is the same reason your phone asks for a fingerprint or PIN before showing sensitive information.

What if I saved a password but now I cannot find it in Credential Manager?

The password might be saved in your browser instead of Credential Manager. Check Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or whatever browser you were using when you saved it. Each browser manages its own passwords separately. You can also search Credential Manager by typing part of the website name.

Can I view passwords saved on someone else's PC?

No, not without their Windows password. Viewing saved passwords requires you to confirm your Windows login, which prevents unauthorized access. If you need to share a password with someone, ask them to view it and tell you, or use a password manager that both of you can access.

Is it safe to save passwords in my browser?

Saving passwords in your browser is reasonably safe if your Windows account is password-protected and you are the only person who uses your PC. However, password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password offer stronger encryption. Never save passwords on a shared computer or a computer you do not fully control.