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Wictor Wilén

Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) - SharePoint 2010 | Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) - SharePoint Server MVP | Author

Removing cached NTLM passwords in Internet Explorer

Posted at 2006-09-19 06:00 by Wictor Wilén in Security , Windows XP , Internet Explorer with 10 comments.

I recently ran into a problem where I had by mistake checked the Remember password checkbox in Internet Explorer 7 (RC) when visiting a NTLM based website, then I wanted to get back to use my currently logged on user to access this website. There is no way to clear these usernames and passwords using the standard ways in Internet Explorer.

First of all I tried to turn off the Automatic logon only in Intranet Zone and entering a new but faulty password for the user and checking the remember password checkbox. This cleared the old password but after resetting the automatic logon Internet Explorer always asked for my password for that site and I didn't want to enter my current logon information and save the password (this would only ask me for a new password whenever I change it).

After some searching on the Internet I found no other solution than the one I tried above. But after digging into the problem for some time I found out where Internet Explorer 7 RC stores the cached credentials. They are stored in file (Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials\<SID>\Credentials) that I removed (of course after making a backup). Then I rebooted the computer and the automatic logon worked fine.

If you are interested in what usernames and passwords that are stored on your machine you can check out Nir Sofers Password Recovery Utilities.

Comments and trackbacks

#  Cached credentials by mIke T
Screenshot from websnpr Hi, this becomes an issue in a terminal server environment, once passwords are changed , clients are continually prompted for credentials. with this info I wrote a small script to delete these files at logon
#  Re: Caced credentials by Wictor Wilén
Screenshot from websnpr Great mike T, I would gladly see your the script for future reference and for sharing it with the community.
#  Thank you by Jz
Screenshot from websnpr This was very helpful
#  Re: Thank you by Wictor Wilén
Screenshot from websnpr I'm glad to help
#  THX!! by Morkxy
Screenshot from websnpr thx !!! you saved me !
#  Re: THX by Wictor
Screenshot from websnpr Great! That's what I'm here for!
#  Miki by Miki
Screenshot from websnpr veeery helpful. been trying to find those cached credentials half a day
#  Re: Miki by Wictor
Screenshot from websnpr I hope I saved a few hours at least :-)
#  Thanks by TJ
Screenshot from websnpr Still useful info after all this years :). Thanks.
#  Thanks!! by Alex
Screenshot from websnpr Thanks!! You saved me a lot of work!
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