Windows Credential

TCATHF 215 Reputation points
2026-08-26T02:23:13.29+00:00

Can someone please define exactly what the three fields in a Windows 11 Credential should be.

I'm at my wits end trying to gain access to a networked PC, whatever I try isn't accepted.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity
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AI answer

2026-08-26T02:23:34.68+00:00

In Windows 11 Credential Manager, the fields depend on the credential type, but for a typical Windows credential used to access another PC on the network, the three fields are:

  1. Internet or network address
    The target computer or service name that Windows should use the credential for. This is the PC name, server name, share target, or sometimes the IP address. In the Credential API, this maps to TargetName. For domain-style targets, Windows supports names such as a server name, DFS share, or even * as a wildcard. For generic credentials, the target identifies the service using the credential.
  2. User name
    The account name that exists on the remote PC or service. For network PC access, this is commonly entered as ComputerName\UserName for a local account on the remote computer. Windows distinguishes between credential types such as domain password, domain certificate, and generic credentials.
  3. Password
    The secret for that account. In the Credential API, this is stored in CredentialBlob. For CRED_TYPE_DOMAIN_PASSWORD, this field contains the plaintext Unicode password for the specified UserName, and Windows authentication packages such as NTLM, Kerberos, and Negotiate can use it automatically when connecting to the named target.

If the goal is access to another Windows PC, the practical format is usually:

  • Internet or network address: \\RemotePCName or the remote PC IP address
  • User name: RemotePCName\LocalUserName
  • Password: the password for that account on the remote PC

To view or change saved credentials:

  1. Type credential manager in the taskbar search box.
  2. Open Credential Manager Control panel.
  3. Select Windows Credentials.

Also note:

  • Web Credentials are for websites and connected apps.
  • Windows Credentials are for network resources, Windows systems, and similar sign-in targets.
  • Windows caches some credentials for single sign-on, especially domain credentials.

References:

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