You will then see this.Ĭlick OK and you will be prompted to save a KDBX file (the file format of a KeePass password database). Now we need to create a new encrypted database where our passwords will be securely stored.įirst click File–>New. However, since you do not have a database yet, close this login window and a blank database window will jump up. Now click on KeePass.exe to start the program up, and you will see the login window that protects your database. I recommend the encrypted cloud storage service Sync, which gives you 5GB free of charge. If you have chosen the portable version, make a KeePass folder on cloud storage or a USB stick.

If you have chosen the installable version, install it on your computer. Once the zip file has been downloaded, open it up. They are not all called KeePass, but they are all compatible with KeePass password databases. As you can see from the list, they cover a whole variety of platforms, including Blackberry, Palm, Windows Phone, Chromebooks, and the Command Line. If you scroll down the downloads page, you will see them. If you are a Mac or Linux person, or you use Android or iOS, there are versions of KeePass for those platforms too. The installable version is on the left, and the portable version is on the right. The ones below that are the previous version, but you should always use the most current version. If you go to the KeePass downloads page, you will see the latest Windows versions at the top. I try not to install anything unless I have to. I am going to focus on the portable version as that’s my thing. I don’t need something all shiny and amazing looking but which breaks down when I breathe on it. Give me a barebones stripped-down piece of software any day of the week if it will always do what you need it to do. I am a big believer in forgetting about bells and whistles and instead focusing on products that just work.

This is because it is easy to use, is open source, and has a portable version. But after trying these ones out extensively over the years, my fondness remains with KeePass.

Wikipedia maintains an extensive list, but out of all of them, the main players are KeePass, LastPass, and 1Password, and I know a few people fond of Dashlane. There are SO many password managers at the moment.

Keepass kdbx