Quick answer: WinSCP stores saved session passwords in the Windows registry. You can recover them manually from the registry or use Advanced Password Recovery Suite to export all WinSCP passwords alongside FileZilla, browser passwords, and WiFi keys in one operation.
In This Guide
Where WinSCP Stores Passwords
WinSCP saves session data including obfuscated passwords in the Windows registry at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Martin Prikryl\WinSCP 2\SessionsEach saved session has its own key containing the hostname, username, port, and an obfuscated password value. The obfuscation is reversible without a master key, which is why a dedicated tool makes recovery straightforward.
Manual Recovery from Registry
Steps:
- Press Win + R, type
regedit, press Enter - Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Martin Prikryl\WinSCP 2\Sessions - Each subfolder is a saved session. Click a session to see its values.
- The Password value contains the obfuscated password — this is not human-readable without a decoder
Obfuscated, Not Encrypted
WinSCP uses a reversible obfuscation algorithm. The password value in the registry is not readable as-is but can be decoded. Advanced Password Recovery Suite handles the decoding automatically.
Export WinSCP Sessions (Settings Only)
WinSCP has a built-in session export but it does not include passwords in a readable format. To export session configuration (host, port, username) without passwords:
- Open WinSCP
- Go to Tools → Export/Import Sessions
- Select sessions and export to an INI file
- Note: passwords are obfuscated in this file — use the tool below for plain-text passwords
Advanced Password Recovery Suite
Advanced Password Recovery Suite decodes WinSCP session passwords automatically and exports them alongside all other credential types on your PC.
Advanced Password Recovery Suite
Recover WinSCP passwords and all other credentials before reinstalling Windows. One scan, everything exported.
- ✓ Decodes all WinSCP saved session passwords
- ✓ Also exports FileZilla FTP passwords
- ✓ Browser passwords, WiFi keys, email credentials
- ✓ Export to CSV or TXT
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
WinSCP passwords are stored in the registry as obfuscated values. Retrieve them using Advanced Password Recovery Suite before formatting, and save them to a USB drive alongside your other credential backups.
Download Advanced Password Recovery Suite — Free Trial