OL98: Missing Windows Password List (.PWL) File

ID: Q181015

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you run Microsoft Outlook 98 under Microsoft Windows 95 or 98, you are never prompted for passwords or your passwords are not saved.


CAUSE

Your Windows Password List (.pwl) file is missing. One of the following situations can prevent the creation of the .pwl file.

Cause A

You always press ESC when prompted for the Windows password.

Cause B

You disabled password caching in the registry.

Cause C

Some OEM versions of Windows disable the Logon dialog box.

Cause D

User preferences has not been enabled in the Passwords control panel.


RESOLUTION

Windows 95 or 98 caches passwords in the .pwl file when you connect to a password-protected network resource. To resolve each of the situations listed in the CAUSE section use the appropriate resolution.

Resolution A

Do not press ESC when prompted for a password. Entering your password and clicking to select, Remember Password, creates the .pwl file and prevents the prompt displaying at next log on.

Resolution B

Enable password caching in the registry to create a .pwl file.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

To enable password caching, follow these steps:

  1. On the Outlook File menu, click "Exit and Log Off" to shut down Outlook.


  2. Click the Start button, and then click Run.


  3. Type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), in the Open box and then click OK.


  4. Move to the following entry in the registry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Network


  5. If caching is disabled, you will see an entry in the Name list of "DisablePwdCaching" with a value of 00000001. Right-click the entry, and then click Delete on the shortcut menu.


  6. Exit the Registry Editor.


Resolution C

If you have an OEM version of Windows, verify that the Logon dialog box is not disabled by following these steps:
  1. On the Outlook File menu, click "Exit and Log Off" to shut down Outlook.


  2. Click the Start button, and then click Run.


  3. Type "regedit" (without the quotation marks),in the Open box and then click OK.


  4. Move to the following entry in the registry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Network


  5. You may see an entry in the Name list of "Autologon" with a value of 1. Right-click the entry, and then click Delete on the shortcut menu.


Resolution D

User profiles are not enabled by default. Everyone uses the same settings on a computer until profiles are enabled. Once profiles are enabled, everyone using that computer will be asked to log in, so that Windows 95 or 98 will know who the user is and can load the appropriate files. You will be prompted the first time you log in and a profile is not found. If you choose not to create a profile the default profile will be used.

Enable User Profiles

To enable user profiles, follow these steps:

  1. Close all programs.


  2. Click Start, point to Settings and then click Control Panel.


  3. Double-click the Passwords icon.


  4. On the User Profiles tab, click to select, "Users can customize their preferences and desktop settings. Windows switches to your personal settings whenever you log in."

    NOTE: The text for this setting in Windows 98 varies slightly, but the meaning is the same.


  5. Click OK. Restart the computer when prompted to do so.


There will be a box for user name and password. Type in a user name (anything you want), and leave the password blank. You may be asked to verify your password. Click OK to the blank password line. Start Outlook and see if it retains your passwords.

Additional query words: pwl missing gone 


Keywords          : kbSysSettings 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 30, 1999