How to use Credential Manager on Windows 11

Credential Manager on Windows 11 is a feature designed to store sign-in information for websites you browse in Microsoft Edge, apps, and networks (for example, shared folders and mapped drives) when you select the save credentials options.

The application has been around for many years and in addition to saving your login usernames and passwords, it also provides options to view, add, remove, and back up all of your credentials.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to get started with the Credential Manager on Windows 11.

Edit sign-in info using Credential Manager
Delete sign-in info using Credential Manager
Add new sign-in info using Credential Manager
Export sign-in info using Credential Manager
Import sign-in info using Credential Manager

Edit sign-in info using Credential Manager

To change a password or username already stored on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Control Panel on Windows 11.
Click on User Accounts.
Click on Credential Manager.
Click the Windows Credentials tab (or Web Credentials).
Select the account.
Click the Edit button.
Update the username and password as needed.
Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the new information will automatically sign in to network or internet services.

Delete sign-in info using Credential Manager

To delete an account stored in Credential Manager, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on User Accounts.
Click on Credential Manager.
Click the Windows Credentials tab (or Web Credentials).
Select the account.
Click the Remove button.
Click the Yes button.

After you complete the steps, the account credentials will be removed from the computer, and you will be required to enter a username and password in future logins.

Add new sign-in info using Credential Manager

To add an app or network credential on Windows 11 with Credential Manager, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on User Accounts.
Click on Credential Manager.
Click the Windows Credentials tab.
Click the Add a Windows credential (or Add a certificate-based credential) option.
Specify the internet or network address for the app or network service.
Specify the username and password to authenticate.
Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the new account information will be added to the computer to sign in automatically the next time you access the apps or network shared folder.

Export sign-in info using Credential Manager

To export and backup all credentials from Credential Manager, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on User Accounts.
Click on Credential Manager.
Click the Windows Credentials tab.
Click the Back up Credentials option.
Click the Browse button to specify a destination for the backup.
Specify a name for the .crd backup file.
Click the Save button.
Click the Next button.
Use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to continue.
Specify a password to protect the Credential Manager file on Windows 11.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the process will result in a “.crd” file containing all your Windows 11 and web credentials, which you can then import to another computer or the same device after a clean installation.

Import sign-in info using Credential Manager

To restore your sign-in information from backup on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on User Accounts.
Click on Credential Manager.
Click the Windows Credentials tab.
Click the Restore Credentials option.
Click the Browse button.
Select the .crd files with the backup information.
Click the Open button.
Click the Next button.
Use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to continue.
Type the password to unlock the Credential Manager backup.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the step, the file will import to restore your web, app, and network credentials on Window 11.