Windows 10 saves usernames and passwords for network shares, mapped drives, Remote Desktop, Microsoft 365 and other apps so you don’t have to type them every time. When a password changes, those cached credentials can cause repeated sign-in prompts, “access denied” errors or account lockouts. This guide shows how to clear them in Credential Manager, with the cmdkey command, and how to handle Kerberos tickets and domain logon caches.
Quick Answer
Open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager, click Windows Credentials, expand the saved credential for the server or app, and click Remove. Repeat for others, then sign in again with the new password.
Method 1: Credential Manager
- Press Windows + S, type Credential Manager and open it (or run control /name Microsoft.CredentialManager).
- Choose Windows Credentials (network shares, Remote Desktop, apps) or Web Credentials (passwords saved by legacy Internet Explorer/Edge).
- Click the arrow next to an entry to expand it.
- Click Remove and confirm with Yes.
Entries under Generic Credentials include apps such as Office, Git and Teams. Removing them signs you out of that app; you’ll sign in again next time.
Method 2: cmdkey Command
- Open Command Prompt.
- List saved credentials: cmdkey /list
- Delete one: cmdkey /delete:TARGETNAME (copy the target name exactly from the list, for example cmdkey /delete:FILESERVER).
To delete everything listed, run this in Command Prompt:
for /F "tokens=1,2 delims= " %G in ('cmdkey /list ^| findstr Target') do cmdkey /delete %HUse it carefully; it removes all saved Windows credentials for your account.
Method 3: Disconnect Mapped Drives
If a mapped drive keeps using an old password, run net use to see connections, then net use * /delete to disconnect them. Reconnect with Map network drive and check Connect using different credentials.
Method 4: Clear Kerberos Tickets (Domain PCs)
On a work PC joined to a domain, cached Kerberos tickets can keep using old credentials. Run klist purge in Command Prompt, then lock and unlock the PC (Windows + L) or sign out and back in.
About Cached Domain Logons
Domain computers also cache your last sign-in so you can log in when away from the office network. These can’t be deleted individually; they update when you sign in while connected to the domain (or over VPN) with your new password. Administrators can control the number cached with the policy Interactive logon: Number of previous logons to cache.
After Clearing Credentials
- Reconnect to shares and sign in with the correct username (for example DOMAIN\username) and new password.
- Sign back in to Office and other apps when prompted.
- If your account keeps locking out after a password change, check phones and other devices that may still use the old password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing credentials delete my files?
No. It only removes saved sign-in information.
Where are browser passwords stored?
Modern browsers like Edge and Chrome store passwords in their own settings (edge://settings/passwords or Chrome’s Password Manager), not in Credential Manager.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes. Credential Manager and cmdkey work the same. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.
Summary
- Open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials.
- Remove outdated entries.
- Or use cmdkey /list and cmdkey /delete.
- Run klist purge on domain PCs and reconnect with new credentials.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.