Managing stored passwords in Windows

When using IE and accessing pages on the internet through a proxy or opening password protected pages, an authentication window would pop up, requesting for a username and password, along with a "Remember my password" check box.

If you do tick the "Remember my password" box, this will end up saving the password on the computer and it will be remembered "forever", unless you manage to manually clear it somehow.

There is a way in which you would be able to view/manage all the passwords that have been stored on the local machine, you would need to issue the following command at a command prompt or on the "Start" -> "Run..." window:

rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr

Managing Windows Server 2008 password policy

Windows Server 2008 has implemented stricter security/password policies. I work in a development/test environment, where the network is isolated and not publicly accessible. In my case, the security policies are not of much importance since it is a closed and controlled environment. The following steps reduce the security level for the password policy settings.

1. Start --> Run --> gpedit.msc
2. Computer Configuration
--Windows Settings
--Security Settings
--Account Policies
--Password Policy
3. Set the following entries as shown:
Maximum Password Age: 0
Minimum Password Age: 0
Minimum Password Length: 0
Password Must Meet Complexity Requirements: DISABLED

View and manage saved Windows usernames/passwords

Enter the following command:
rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr --- note the "KRShowKeyMgr" is case sensitive.

The window which pops up shows all connections which have saved usernames/passwords.

The alternate method of accessing this window is by opening the following
Control Panel -> User Account -> Advanced tab -> Manage Passwords