Windows Credential Manager

Thomas Zucker-ScharffSenior Data Analyst
CERTIFIED EXPERT
Veteran in computer systems, malware removal and ransomware topics.  I have been working in the field since 1985.
Published:
If you get continual lockouts after changing your Active Directory password, there are several possible reasons.  Two of the most common are using other devices to access your email and stored passwords in the credential manager of windows.
Suffice it to say that you need to put ALL devices (phones, tablets, laptops, computers, etc) that use your Active Directory credentials in any way (email, wireless, etc) either on airplane mode or turned  off completely.  iPhones will ask for the new password when they come off airplane mode, if you are using the built-in email program.  Android phones will do the same depending on the email program you use.  The “best” way to be sure nothing will lock you out after changing your password is to have each device delete the email account (exchange email is kept on the server anyway), and not be connected to the network/wireless until you are finished changing the password.  This includes any machines that may connect to Active Directory from home.

Alternately the wiper tool can be used on windows machines to achieve the same results as below. This can be downloaded at https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/Clear-Cached-CredentailsPas-981564bf.
 

Windows Credential Manager

Take these steps to first backup, then delete all your saved passwords (you will need to resave any passwords you normally do not need to enter).
In Windows 7:
  1. Left click on the start ball in the lower left corner of your screen
  2. Either click on Control Panel, or expand the Control Panel menu002---click-control-panel.png
  3. Select User Accounts003---useraccounts-in-control-panel.png
 
 
  1. Click the Menu item on the left hand side of the dialog labeled “Manage your credentials”004---manage-your-credentials.png
  2. Select “Back up vault” under the Windows vault Icon006---back-up-vault.png
    1. Click the Browse button in the resulting window007---backup-to.png
    2. Select a directory where you would like to backup your windows logon information and make sure you are INSIDE that folder (you can create a new folder if you wish)010---browse-and-create-new-folder-2.png009---browse-and-create-new-folder.png
    3. Type the name of the backup file012---type-name-and-click-save.png
    4. Click the save button
    5. Click the Next button013---click-next.png
    6. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL014---Press-CTRL-ALT-DEL.png
    7. Enter a password twice (the same one)
    8. Press Next
  3. To Delete the current credentials
    1. Click the down arrow to the right of each entry015---click-down-arrow-to-right-of-c.png
    2. Click the “Remove from vault” link016---click-remove-from-vault-link.png
    3. Click “Yes” to confirm and the credential will be gone017---click-yes-to-confirm.png
    4. Repeat a-c with EACH saved credential
  4. Reboot your computer
Windows 10
  1. Left click on the start in the lower left corner of your screen050---win-10-start.png
  2. Put your mouse in an empty space and type Credential, then press enter060---win-10-type-credential.png
  3. Select Windows Credentials by clicking on it070---win-10-click-windows-credentia.png
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  1. Select Back up Credentials by clicking the link.080---win-10-backup-credentials.png
  2. Click the browse button to select the folder/file you want to save your backup to.090---win-10-browse-to-sace-creds.png
    1. Select a directory where you would like to backup your windows logon information and make sure you are INSIDE that folder (you can create a new folder if you wish)100---win-10-save-as-dialog.png110---win-10-select-directory.png
    2. Type the name of the backup file120---win-10-enter-name-and-click-sa.png
    3. Click the save button
    4. Click the Next button130---win-10-click-next.png
    5. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL140---win-10-press-CTRL-ALT-DEL.png
    6. Enter a password twice (the same one)
    7. Press Next
  3. To Delete the current credentials
    1. Click the down arrow to the right of each entry150---win-10-click-down-arrow-next-t.png
    2. Click the “Remove” link160---win-10-click-the-remove-link.png
    3. Click “Yes” to confirm and the credential will be gone170---win-10-click-yes-to-confirm.png
    4. Repeat a-c with EACH saved credential
  4. Reboot your computer
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Thomas Zucker-ScharffSenior Data Analyst
CERTIFIED EXPERT
Veteran in computer systems, malware removal and ransomware topics.  I have been working in the field since 1985.

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