Quick answer: Outlook stores account passwords in Windows Credential Manager. Use Advanced Password Recovery Suite to export them before formatting — Credential Manager has no built-in bulk export.
Where Outlook Stores Passwords
Microsoft Outlook stores email account passwords in Windows Credential Manager under entries beginning with MicrosoftOffice or the mail server hostname. Older Outlook versions (2010 and earlier) may also store passwords in the registry or the Outlook profile (.pst/.ost) metadata.
To view manually: Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials. Look for entries starting with MicrosoftOffice or your email server address.
Also Backup Your Outlook Data Files
Credentials vs Data
Outlook passwords (credentials) and Outlook data (emails, calendar, contacts in PST/OST files) are separate. This guide covers credentials. You must also back up your PST/OST files separately by copying them from the Documents\Outlook Files folder to an external drive.
Advanced Password Recovery Suite
Advanced Password Recovery Suite
Exports Outlook credentials alongside all other passwords in one scan.
- ✓ Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021
- ✓ Also recovers Thunderbird, Windows Mail, Opera Mail
- ✓ Windows Credential Manager export included
- ✓ CSV, TXT and HTML output with all account details
After Reinstalling: Reconfigure Outlook
After reinstalling Windows, Outlook must be configured from scratch. The process:
- Install Outlook (from Microsoft 365 or standalone installer)
- Open Outlook → File → Add Account
- Enter your email address and password from the backup CSV
- For Exchange/Microsoft 365 accounts, Outlook auto-configures server settings
- Copy your PST/OST backup files back if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Outlook Backup Checklist
- ☐ Export Outlook credentials with Advanced Password Recovery Suite
- ☐ Backup PST/OST data files to external drive
- ☐ Note your email server settings (IMAP/POP3/Exchange)
- ☐ Save your Microsoft 365 account email address