How to Clear Cached Credentials in Windows 10

To clear cached credentials in Windows 10, open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager, select Windows Credentials, expand the entry you want to clear, and select Remove. Windows will ask for the user name and password again the next time you connect to that server, shared folder or app. You can also list and delete them from Command Prompt with cmdkey.

Applies to: Windows 10 Home and Pro. The same steps work on Windows 11. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.

When to clear cached credentials

• You changed a password and Windows keeps trying the old one, causing “access denied” or account lockouts.
• A shared folder or NAS opens with the wrong user account.
• Outlook, Teams or OneDrive keep asking for a password or sign in as the wrong person.
• You’re handing the PC to someone else and want to remove saved sign-ins.

Method 1: Credential Manager

1. Select Start, type Credential Manager and open it. Or go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.
2. Select Windows Credentials for network shares, remote desktops and Microsoft Office sign-ins, or Web Credentials for passwords saved by Internet Explorer and old Edge.
3. Select the arrow next to an entry to expand it.
4. Select Remove, then Yes.
5. Repeat for other entries, then restart the PC or sign out and back in.

Entries starting with MicrosoftOffice or MicrosoftAccount hold Office and Microsoft account tokens. Removing them is a common fix for Outlook password prompts; you’ll sign in again afterwards. To see what’s saved before removing anything, see how to find stored passwords on Windows 10.

Method 2: Command Prompt (cmdkey)

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd and press Enter.
2. List saved credentials:

   cmdkey /list

3. Delete one by its target name, for example:

   cmdkey /delete:Domain:target=fileserver01

   For a simple target, cmdkey /delete:fileserver01 works too.

This is handy for IT staff and scripts. Run it as the user whose credentials you want to clear; each Windows account has its own store.

Method 3: Clear mapped drive and network share sessions

Windows keeps an open session to a share even after you remove its saved password, so it may keep using the old account until you disconnect it:

net use

lists current connections, and

net use * /delete

disconnects all of them. Type Y to confirm. Then reconnect and enter the right user name and password, ticking Remember my credentials if you want them saved. For more on this, see how to find network credentials in Windows 10.

Saved browser passwords are separate

Chrome, Edge and Firefox keep their own password lists. Clear them in each browser’s settings under Passwords or Password Manager.

Cached domain logons (work PCs)

Work PCs joined to a domain also cache your Windows sign-in so you can log on without a connection to the company network. That cache isn’t shown in Credential Manager and is managed by IT through Group Policy. If you changed your work password, sign in once while connected to the office network or VPN to update it. See also how to sign in to another domain in Windows 10.

Troubleshooting

The credential comes back right away

An app is saving it again, usually Outlook, OneDrive or a mapped drive set to reconnect. Close the app, remove the entry, then sign in with the correct details.

“Element not found” when running cmdkey /delete

The target name doesn’t match. Copy it exactly from cmdkey /list, including any Domain:target= prefix.

Access still denied after clearing

Disconnect with net use * /delete or restart the PC to end the old session.

Frequently asked questions

Does clearing credentials delete files?

No. It only removes saved sign-in details.

Can I clear credentials for another user?

Not from your account. Each user’s Credential Manager is private; sign in as that user to clear theirs.

Where do I find my own Windows user name?

See how to find your computer username and password on Windows 10.

Related: how to find network credentials in Windows 10.