Windows encrypted password and data store (DPAPI)

[Gwen-Dragon]

Most users do not know hat Windows uses a unique user master key (GUID) for encryption of logins and other secure storage data.

This thread is only for experienced users who want to get special information about storage of Windows encryption keys and encrypted browser login database.

If you have issues in Vivaldi to store passwords or password usage or Sync then open a thread in Support & Troubleshooting

Copying login database for Vivaldi and other Chromium-like browsers for a restore after installing a new Windows on a new PC or new Windows user account does not give them back a readable login database.

Some information on Windows Data Protection API:

• You Cannot Access DPAPI Confidential Information After Reinstalling Windows on a Stand-Alone Computer
• Windows Data Protection
• How to recover a Vault corrupted by lost DPAPI keys
• Recover Windows User Account Credentials
• DPAPI Secrets
• Reversing dpapi and stealing windows secrets offline
• Operational Guidance for Offensive User DPAPI Abuse

[Pathduck]

Good stuff - make it a sticky?

Maybe add information about how users can migrate their passwords to a new system.

• Enable Vivaldi Sync and sync passwords to the new machine (recommended).
• Export passwords from chrome://settings/passwords and import on new machine.

[derDay]

@Pathduck said

Maybe add information about how users can migrate their passwords to a new system.

• Enable Vivaldi Sync and sync passwords to the new machine (recommended).
• Export passwords from chrome://settings/passwords and import on new machine.

you mean something like this?

[Pathduck]

@derDay said in Windows encrypted password and data store (DPAPI):

you mean something like this?

Yes. But it should be updated, and then linked from here. That page is hidden under tips&tricks for all platforms, and this page is very Windows-specific.

Also note that the password import/export is now gone from the list of flags, but the options are there at least for me so maybe they made it default.

[Gwen-Dragon]

@Pathduck said in Windows encrypted password and data store (DPAPI):

make it a sticky?

Done.

[Gwen-Dragon]

@Gwen-Dragon For users who need to export and import Vivaldi login database i suggest to read the thread https://forum.vivaldi.net/topic/14642/how-to-manually-backup-restore-transfer-your-profile-to-another-device

[carlosoctavio]

@derDay but to import and export password does not work anymore.

[Gwen-Dragon]

@carlosoctavio Please do not discuss missing flags in Vivaldi here.
This si only about the encryption for the Chromium login databases!

If you need help to import/export passwords, please read my article Vivaldi 2.9 – Enable PasswordImport

[ingamx]

i wonder how many of this 4k vivaldi community are developers?

[Hadden89]

This post is deleted!

[Gwen-Dragon]

@ingamx We have more than 10 developers.
Those who are interested read such list of background information.

[Inventer89]

How restore passwords after crash system or HDD?

[Gwen-Dragon]

@Inventer89 Restore Windows user and the SID
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/ee681624(v=ws.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN
Then you may recover the Windows encrypted data.

[arinamichel]

This post is deleted!