Windows 11 cached-cred invalidation

Question

Windows 11 cached-cred invalidation

testuser7 291

Hello,

I have a specific , objective question if anybody has practically tried and tested it. Appreciate your confirmation.

I am not connected to on-prem AD network. I used my cached-cred to get into hybrid win11 device and once I am in the device, the CloudAP tried that cached password to refresh PRT from Entra which failed because my cached-password as not correct.

Will that event invalidate the cache-cred in the device so that next time when I try to unlock the device, it will fail ??

VEMULA SRISAI 14,065 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-29T23:15:33.66+00:00
Hello testuser7,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

As I understand, you signed in to a hybrid-joined Windows 11 device using cached credentials while disconnected from the on-premises AD network. After sign-in, CloudAP attempted to refresh the Primary Refresh Token (PRT) with Microsoft Entra ID using the cached password, but the refresh failed because the cached password was incorrect. You want to know if this failure will invalidate the cached credentials so that the next time you try to unlock the device, it will fail.

No, that event will not invalidate the cached credentials. Cached credentials are stored locally by Windows and are used for offline sign-in or unlocking the device when the domain controller is not reachable. The PRT is only used for Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on (SSO) to cloud resources. If the PRT refresh fails because the cached password is wrong, it only impacts SSO and access to cloud apps—not your ability to unlock the device.

Cached credentials remain valid until:

You successfully sign in online with a new password (which updates the cache).

A policy enforces online authentication (e.g., “Require domain controller authentication to unlock”).

The cache is cleared manually or by security policy.

For your reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/devices/troubleshoot-primary-refresh-token

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/devices/concept-primary-refresh-token?tabs=windows-prt-issued%2Cwindows-prt-used%2Cwindows-prt-renewal%2Cwindows-prt-protection%2Cwindows-apptokens%2Cwindows-browsercookies%2Cwindows-mfa

If this does not address your situation, please let us know so we can provide additional support and ensure your concerns are fully resolved. We're here to assist you with any further questions or issues you may have.
VEMULA SRISAI 14,065 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-01T20:15:39.7633333+00:00

I’m following up on my previous comment. Please let me know if you need any additional information or assistance from my side.
testuser7 291 Reputation points

2025-10-02T12:24:18.57+00:00

Thanks @vemula srisai

How would you change your answer if the only change I make is, get my win11 Hybrid device in line-of-sight with Active-directory and then I try the old password on login screen to unlock the device ??

Will the cache-cred help and for how many times ??

Your answer

VEMULA SRISAI 14,065 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-09-29T23:15:33.66+00:00

Hello testuser7,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

As I understand, you signed in to a hybrid-joined Windows 11 device using cached credentials while disconnected from the on-premises AD network. After sign-in, CloudAP attempted to refresh the Primary Refresh Token (PRT) with Microsoft Entra ID using the cached password, but the refresh failed because the cached password was incorrect. You want to know if this failure will invalidate the cached credentials so that the next time you try to unlock the device, it will fail.

No, that event will not invalidate the cached credentials. Cached credentials are stored locally by Windows and are used for offline sign-in or unlocking the device when the domain controller is not reachable. The PRT is only used for Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on (SSO) to cloud resources. If the PRT refresh fails because the cached password is wrong, it only impacts SSO and access to cloud apps—not your ability to unlock the device.

Cached credentials remain valid until:

You successfully sign in online with a new password (which updates the cache).

A policy enforces online authentication (e.g., “Require domain controller authentication to unlock”).

The cache is cleared manually or by security policy.

For your reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/devices/troubleshoot-primary-refresh-token

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/devices/concept-primary-refresh-token?tabs=windows-prt-issued%2Cwindows-prt-used%2Cwindows-prt-renewal%2Cwindows-prt-protection%2Cwindows-apptokens%2Cwindows-browsercookies%2Cwindows-mfa

If this does not address your situation, please let us know so we can provide additional support and ensure your concerns are fully resolved. We're here to assist you with any further questions or issues you may have.
VEMULA SRISAI 14,065 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-01T20:15:39.7633333+00:00

I’m following up on my previous comment. Please let me know if you need any additional information or assistance from my side.
testuser7 291 Reputation points

2025-10-02T12:24:18.57+00:00

Thanks @vemula srisai

How would you change your answer if the only change I make is, get my win11 Hybrid device in line-of-sight with Active-directory and then I try the old password on login screen to unlock the device ??

Will the cache-cred help and for how many times ??