How to save username and password for network locations on Windows 10
Windows 10, like most modern operating systems, can connect to various devices on the network. This includes, but is not limited to other computers, network drivers, network printers, IP cameras, and more.
In many cases, the network locations that are accessed have some form of security i.e. a password, which prevents unauthorized access to the devices. In order to access the device, the Windows 10 user will need to enter the correct username and password.
Assuming you have the right login credentials, you can access the network location but each time you access it, you will be prompted to enter the information again.
Save username and password for network locations
If you often access a network location on the network, and you have been given long-term access to it, entering the username and password each time you access it becomes annoying. It also takes up time.
Windows 10 has a credentials manager that can save the login information locally. When saved, all you have to do is double-click a network device, and it will open. Windows 10 will fetch the login information that’s saved and you’ll never be asked to enter it unless it changes.
Turn on network discovery
Before you can save the username and password for a network location, you must be able to access it. To do that, you have to enable network discovery on your Windows 10 system.
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Network and Internet.
- Select Network Sharing.
- In the column on the left, click ‘Advanced network sharing’.
- Under the Network Discovery section, enable the ‘Turn on network discovery” option.
Note: the system/device that you’re trying to access must be set to appear visible on the network.
Access network location
With network discovery on, you can now access network locations, and in doing so, you can save the login information for various network locations.
- Open File Explorer.
- In the navigation column on the left, select Network.
- Double-click the system you want to access.
- In the pop-up, enter the username and password for the system.
- Select the “Remember my credentials” options.
- Click OK.
- The location will open, and the login information will be saved in the Windows credentials manager.
Network location credentials
The login credentials for a network location are not the ones that you use to login into your own system. Instead, they are set on the network location itself. In some cases, e.g., if you’re connected to an active directory, your own user credentials may be used to login to a network location however, that normally means you have an admin account on the AD.
