Many people ask about the location in the Registry or file system that applications store the passwords. Here is a list of password storage locations for popular applications compiled by Nir Sofer.
Be aware that even if you know the location of the saved password, it doesn t mean that you can move it from one computer to another. many applications store the passwords in a way that you prevent from moving them to another computer or user profile.
Be aware that even if you know the location of the saved password, it doesn t mean that you can move it from one computer to another. many applications store the passwords in a way that you prevent from moving them to another computer or user profile.
- Internet Explorer 4.00 6.00: The passwords are stored in a secret location in the Registry known as the Protected Storage .
The base key of the Protected Storage is located under the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider .
You can browse the above key in the Registry Editor (RegEdit), but you won t be able to watch the passwords, because they are encrypted.
Also, this key cannot easily moved from one computer to another, like you do with regular Registry keys. - Internet Explorer 7.00 8.00: The new versions of Internet Explorer stores the passwords in 2 different locations.
AutoComplete passwords are stored in the Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\IntelliForms\Storage2.
HTTP Authentication passwords are stored in the Credentials file under Documents and Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials , together with login passwords of LAN computers and other passwords. - Firefox: The passwords are stored in one of the following filenames: signons.txt, signons2.txt, and signons3.txt (depends on Firefox version)
These password files are located inside the profile folder of Firefox, in [Windows Profile]\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[Profile Name]
Also, key3.db, located in the same folder, is used for encryption/decription of the passwords. - Google Chrome Web browser: The passwords are stored in [Windows Profile]\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Web Data
(This filename is SQLite database which contains encrypted passwords and other stuff) - Opera: The passwords are stored in wand.dat filename, located under [Windows Profile]\Application Data\Opera\Opera\profile
- Outlook Express (All Versions): The POP3/SMTP/IMAP passwords Outlook Express are also stored in the Protected Storage, like the passwords of old versions of Internet Explorer.
- Outlook 98/2000: Old versions of Outlook stored the POP3/SMTP/IMAP passwords in the Protected Storage, like the passwords of old versions of Internet Explorer.
- Outlook 2002-2008: All new versions of Outlook store the passwords in the same Registry key of the account settings.
The accounts are stored in the Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\[Profile Name]\9375CFF0413111d3B88A00104B2A6676\[Account Index]
If you use Outlook to connect an account on Exchange server, the password is stored in the Credentials file, together with login passwords of LAN computers. - Windows Live Mail: All account settings, including the encrypted passwords, are stored in [Windows Profile]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\[Account Name]
The account filename is an xml file with .oeaccount extension. - ThunderBird: The password file is located under [Windows Profile]\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\[Profile Name]
You should search a filename with .s extension. - Google Talk: All account settings, including the encrypted passwords, are stored in the Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Google Talk\Accounts\[Account Name]
- Google Desktop: Email passwords are stored in the Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Google Desktop\Mailboxes\[Account Name]
- MSN/Windows Messenger version 6.x and below: The passwords are stored in one of the following locations:
1. Registry Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger
2. Registry Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MessengerServ ice
3. In the Credentials file, with entry named as Passport.Net\\* . (Only when the OS is XP or more) - MSN Messenger version 7.x: The passwords are stored under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\C reds\[Account Name]
- Windows Live Messenger version 8.x/9.x: The passwords are stored in the Credentials file, with entry name begins with WindowsLive:name= .
- Yahoo Messenger 6.x: The password is stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager
( EOptions string value) - Yahoo Messenger 7.5 or later: The password is stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager ETS value.
The value stored in ETS value cannot be recovered back to the original password. - AIM Pro: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AIM\AIMPRO\[Account Name]
- AIM 6.x: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\America Online\AIM6\Passwords
- ICQ Lite 4.x/5.x/2003: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mirabilis\ICQ\NewOwners \[ICQ Number]
(MainLocation value) - ICQ 6.x: The password hash is stored in [Windows Profile]\Application Data\ICQ\[User Name]\Owner.mdb (Access Database)
(The password hash cannot be recovered back to the original password) - Digsby: The main password of Digsby is stored in [Windows Profile]\Application Data\Digsby\digsby.dat
All other passwords are stored in Digsby servers. - PaltalkScene: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Paltalk\[Account Name].
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Posted on January 4, 2013 at 1:13 AM
Yahoo Messenger 6.x: The password is stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager
( EOptions string value)
Yahoo Messenger 7.5 or later: The password is stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager ETS value.
The value stored in ETS value cannot be recovered back to the original password.
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AIM Pro: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AIM\AIMPRO\[Account Name]
AIM 6.x: The passwords are stored in the Registry, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\America Online\AIM6\Passwords
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