No one likes passwords, but everyone has to deal with them. Passwords are not such a bad thing as they are problematic even for advanced users. Every service has a password that you must remember. You cannot make this password too simple or you risk putting your account at risk. It also can’t be complicated enough to always do a password reset before logging in. Passwords are easier to manage in Windows 10 than in the past.
Some of this ease comes from changes made by Microsoft itself. It is recommended that each user connect a Microsoft Account to their computer. When they do, the same password from Outlook, Xbox, and more applies to computers. A hardware-dependent feature for laptops, desktops, and tablets, Windows Hello allows users to sign in and make purchases without using their passwords, provided they have some setup. Passwords in Windows 10 are also easier to manage, with apps and services available directly in the Windows Store. These apps can generate complex passwords for you and make them available on all your devices.
Here’s everything you need to know about managing passwords in Windows 10, from saving passwords and syncing them with Microsoft Edge to downloading apps to keep them safe.
Passwords in Windows 10: Microsoft Edge and Windows Hello
For Windows 10, Microsoft dropped support for a ton of different features that it thought Windows 8 users didn’t like. This included a version of Internet Explorer built specifically for touch. Instead, he created Microsoft Edge, a brand new browser built with the modern user in mind from the ground up. Microsoft Edge doesn’t sync tabs yet, but it does sync passwords. In the control panel of the application, you can tell it to store your favorite credentials.
When saved in Edge, these passwords are revealed on any computer authorized with your Microsoft Account. In fact, the username will be too. This sync works on Windows phones, laptops, desktops, and tablets, but not on Xbox One for some reason. Each time you enter a new password, Edge will ask you if you want to save the password.
With Edge you can come up with a complex password and then never have to remember it again, provided you always use Edge forward.
Windows Hello is also new to Windows 10. Most people know this because the system allows you to log into your PC without a password. What some people don’t understand is that Windows Hello doesn’t require you to type your password into Windows for other activities, like buying something from the Windows Store. Eventually, Windows Hello Passport will allow users to login with websites, but that hasn’t happened yet. Currently, it works for some apps in Windows Store.
Of course, Windows Hello is hardware dependent. To use it, you need a built-in or attached fingerprint reader or a compatible camera on your laptop, desktop or tablet. Most new computers have some kind of Windows Hello ready sensor built into them.
Passwords in Windows 10: Password Management Apps
There are password management apps and programs that move away from Microsoft’s built-in password solutions. These alternatives are hidden both inside and outside the Windows Store. Some have a cover fee just for the application. Others connect to a web service.
Synchronization and added security is what makes it a good solution for managing passwords in Windows 10. At some point you will need your passwords, which means the app or service you choose must have an iPhone or Android version. .
Final Pass
Seems to be the most popular password management service Final Pass. The Windows Store has apps for Android, iPhone and one so you can always access your credentials whenever you need them. A browser extension for Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and more, automatically enters your passwords for you when needed. Your credentials are also available on the LastPass website.
LastPass recently became completely free, but the premium is still $1 per month. Unlocks password sharing with family members.
[ Download the LastPass Apps from the Windows Store ]
enpass
enpass there is no cloud subscription service that supports it. What it does have is a $9.99 fee after hitting 20 passwords and lots of apps. Users choose whether they want their device’s passwords to stay there or sync across platforms. You can choose how to sync with OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and iCloud options. There are browser extensions, a MacOS, Windows Store, Android, iPhone, and a portable version that you can install on a flash drive and carry with you.
Where possible, Enpass integrates with a platform’s security hardware to streamline the login process. For example, the Windows Store version of Enpass lets you assign a PIN Code to it or sign in with Windows Hello. iPhone and iPad versions support TouchID fingerprint reader.
[ Download Enpass from the Windows Store ]
1Password
There is another widely used password management tool called 1Password It’s still available online, though you won’t find it in the Windows Store. 1Password costs users $2.99 per month for a single plan. There are apps for syncing, as well as iOS and Android.
The really interesting thing about 1Password is that it can connect directly to apps on iPhone and Android. You don’t need to copy and paste your passwords to these devices, just tap the 1Password icon embedded directly inside them.
Unfortunately, with 1Password there is no extension for Microsoft Edge, but you get top-notch apps in all other web browsers.
Good luck with managing your passwords in Windows 10.
