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Windows password guide

How to Generate a Strong Password on Windows

Use Microsoft Edge to create, save, sync, and autofill a unique password on a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.

Fastest Windows method

  1. Open a website's signup or password-change form in Microsoft Edge.
  2. Select the new-password field.
  3. Choose the suggested strong password.
  4. If no suggestion appears, right-click the field and select Suggest strong password.
  5. Submit the form and verify the saved entry in Microsoft Password Manager.

Step 1: Enable Edge password suggestions

Microsoft says Password Generator is enabled by default in Edge. Check these settings if the suggestion has been disabled or saving is not working.

  1. Open Settings and more → Settings.
  2. Select Passwords and autofill → Microsoft Password Manager → More settings.
  3. Turn on Ask to save passwords and passkeys.
  4. Turn on Suggest strong passwords.

A work or school administrator can manage these settings by policy. If a toggle is unavailable or marked as managed, contact the organization's IT administrator rather than changing the Windows registry.

Step 2: Generate and save the password

  1. Open the official signup or password-change page in Edge.
  2. Enter the requested username or email.
  3. Select the new-password field.
  4. Choose the strong password shown in the dropdown.
  5. Complete and submit the form.
Automatic save: Microsoft says Edge saves the selected suggestion in the browser and autofills it on the next visit. When you are signed in and password sync is enabled, it can also be available in Edge on your other signed-in devices.

Use the right-click fallback

If Edge recognizes the page but does not open the generator dropdown, right-click the new-password field and choose Suggest strong password. This is Microsoft's documented manual trigger. If it is absent, confirm the generator and save settings above, update Edge, reload the form, and try again.

If the website rejects the suggested password

Some websites impose a maximum length or exclude particular characters. Use the site's displayed requirement as the source of truth. Create a compatible value with the custom password generator, submit it, and make sure Microsoft Password Manager stores the final accepted value. Do not reuse an easier password from another account.

Find and verify the saved credential

  1. In Edge, open Settings and more → Settings.
  2. Select Passwords and autofill → Microsoft Password Manager.
  3. Open the saved entry for the website.
  4. Use the eye button to reveal it or choose Edit; Windows may request the device PIN or password.
  5. Confirm the website, username, and saved password match the account you just created.
Important: Editing an entry in Microsoft Password Manager does not change the password on the website. Change it on the website first, then ensure the manager contains the same accepted value.

Turn on password sync only when wanted

Edge can sync saved passwords when you sign in to the browser with the same account and enable password sync. Open the Edge profile and its Sync settings to confirm the account and data types. Sync is not required to generate or save a password on one PC, but it is required for that saved credential to appear automatically on other Edge devices.

Run Microsoft Password Manager's security check

Open Settings → Passwords and autofill → Microsoft Password Manager → Password security check, or enter edge://settings/autofill/passwords/checkup in the address bar. Run the check to review saved credentials Edge identifies as leaked, reused, or weak. Change an affected password on the original site and replace it with a unique generated value.

Microsoft Password Manager is not Windows Credential Manager

Microsoft Password Manager stores and autofills website passwords and passkeys through Edge. Windows Credential Manager stores credentials used by Windows, connected applications, networks, and some websites; Microsoft documents it primarily as a place to view or delete those saved credentials. It is not the Edge signup-password generator and should not be used as though the two stores are interchangeable.

This does not generate the Windows sign-in password

The Edge workflow above creates website credentials. It does not change the password for the Microsoft account, local Windows account, Windows Hello PIN, or recovery key. Manage Windows sign-in methods under Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options, and follow Microsoft's account-recovery process if the account password is lost.

Use Windows Hello or a passkey when supported

Windows or Edge may require a device PIN, fingerprint, face recognition, or device password before showing sensitive saved information. Supported sites can also offer passkeys instead of reusable passwords. Follow the system dialog and maintain secure recovery methods for the underlying Microsoft or website account.

Sources and reviewed scope

This independent Windows guide was reviewed against current Microsoft documentation on October 1, 2026. Edge labels can change by browser version, account type, region, and organizational policy. Generate My Password is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.