How Stored User Names and Passwords works

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

How Stored User Names and Passwords works

Stored User Names and Passwords obtains its information in two ways: explicit creation and learning from the user. When users enter a user name and password for a target computer or domain, that information is stored and used when the users attempt to log on to an appropriate computer. If no stored information is available and users supply a user name and password, they have the ability to save the information. If the user decides to save the information, Stored User Names and Passwords then receives and stores it.

When Windows XP or a member of the Windows Server 2003 family attempts to connect to a new computer on the network, it supplies the current user name and password to the computer. If this is not sufficient to provide access, Stored User Names and Passwords will attempt to supply the necessary user name and password. All stored user names and passwords will be examined, from most specific to least specific as appropriate to the resource, and the connection will be attempted with those user names and passwords in that order. Because user names and passwords are read and applied in order from most to least specific, no more than one user name and password can be stored for each individual target or domain.

Stored User Names and Passwords also allows the user to save the supplied user name and password for reuse. This information is stored in a secure part of the user's profile and cannot be accessed by other users. If the user is configured to use a single profile across the enterprise, the stored user names and passwords will be retained wherever the user logs on to the network.