Credential Manager not showing/opening/working properly in Windows 11/10? Here’s the fix!

Is credential Manager not working on Windows 11? Stuck with the credential manager error code 0x80070425 on your device? You can quickly troubleshoot this issue by making a few quick changes to your PC’s settings. 

But before we begin, here’s a brief of the Windows Credential Manager, what it does, and how you can use it on Windows. 

What is Credential Manager & How to Use it?

The Windows Credential Manager app conveniently stores all your passwords and log-in information in a secure space. It is a digital locker that you can use to manage sensitive information like passwords, usernames, addresses, etc. 

The Credential Manager app records credentials in two categories: Windows Credentials and Web Credentials. 

• Windows Credentials: This category stores the credentials and info used by Windows services and apps to automatically log you in. 
• Web Credentials: Web Credentials are login information stored on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Skype, and other apps. 

To access the Credential Manager on Windows, tap on the search icon on the Taskbar, type “Credential Manager,” and hit Enter. You will be redirected to the Control Panel, where you can add, access, or manage your login information. 

Also read: How To Use The Credential Manager In Windows 10?

So, if you cannot use the Credential Manager on Windows, here are a few solutions you can try! 

How To Fix Credential Manager not Working on Windows 11/10? (2023)

Here’re some of the most effective tips and tricks to fix Credential Manager File system errors on Windows PC.

Solution 1: Configure the Internet Options

STEP 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Inetcpl.cpl” in the textbox and hit Enter. 

STEP 2: The Internet Properties window will now appear on the screen. Switch to the “Content” tab. Tap on the “Settings” button next to the “Auto-complete” section.

STEP 3: Uncheck all the options listed in the Auto-complete window. Tap on OK to save changes. 

STEP 4: Now, switch to the “General” tab in the Internet Properties window. Tap on the “Delete” button placed in the “Browsing History” section to delete temporary files, cookies, saved passwords, and more. 

STEP 5: Reboot your device and check if the issue was resolved. 

Also read: How to Use a Random Password Generator

Solution 2: Edit the Registry

STEP 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Regedit” and hit Enter.

STEP 2: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following folder location. 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

STEP 3: Right-click the “FormSuggest PW” file and select “Edit String.” Type “YES” in the Value data field. 

STEP 4: Close the Registry Editor and reboot your machine.

Also read: How to Sync Stored Passwords In Google Chrome

Solution 3: Enable the Credential Manager Service

STEP 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “Services.msc” and hit Enter.

STEP 2: In the Services window, look for the “Credential Manager” service. Double-tap on it to open Properties. 

STEP 3: Set the Startup type value as “Automatic.”

STEP 4: Hit the OK, followed by clicking the Apply button to save the changes. 

Also read: How to View iCloud Keychain Passwords on Mac

Solution 4: Enter the Credentials Manually

STEP 1: Click the search icon placed on the Taskbar, type “Credential Manager,” and hit Enter.

STEP 2: Select “Windows Credentials.” Now, tap on “Add a generic credential.”

STEP 3: Fill in the necessary details and tap on OK to save changes. 

Solution 5: Use the Microsoft Edge Browser

STEP 1: Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your Windows 11 PC. Tap on the three-dot icon in the top right corner and select “Settings.”

STEP 2: Scroll down and tap on the “View advanced settings” button. 

STEP 3: Under the “Privacy and Security” section, tap on the “Manage Passwords” button.

STEP 4: You will now see a list of passwords in the window. Tap on any password to edit it. Hit on the Save button when done. 

Solution 6: Delete the Microsoft Protect Directory

STEP 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box. Type “%appdata%” and hit Enter. 

STEP 2: The File Explorer window will now appear on the screen. Look for the “Microsoft Protect” folder. 

STEP 3: Select all the files in the Protect Directory, right-click on the selection, and click the “Delete” button. 

STEP 4: Once you remove all the files in the Microsoft Protect Directory, the credential manager will hopefully start working again. 

Conclusion

Here are a few simple solutions to fix the “Credential manager not working” issue. The Credential Manager is a crucial part of the Windows OS. So, if you’re facing any problems accessing it or encountering any errors, you can use any of the above-listed methods to fix it. Do let us know which method did the trick for you. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment space! 

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