How to Enable or Disable Autofill Passwords and Passkeys in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11

What You Should Know

Microsoft Edge keeps passwords secure while syncing them across devices during active sessions. Additional credentials enter the manager manually, protecting accounts against unauthorized access.

Manual credential entry remains available inside the password manager in Microsoft Edge.

Edge provides three distinct methods for securing stored passwords:

• Fill in passwords automatically (easiest, but less secure)
• Ask for your device password before filling passwords (medium security)
• Use a custom primary password (highest security)

Reference: Additional privacy for your saved passwords – Microsoft Support

Option 1For Your Account Only

Turn On or Off Autofill Passwords in Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots menu (Settings and more) at the top right. Click Settings.
3. Click Passwords and autofill in the left sidebar. Click Microsoft Password Manager on the right side.
   

   To control whether edge autofill passwords works, you need to go into Microsoft Edge's settings. First, open Edge, click the three dots in the top right corner, and then select 'Settings'. Next, click on 'Passwords and autofill' in the left sidebar.

4. Click More settings.

Option A: Fill Passwords Automatically (Default)

Automatic form completion speeds up website access by inputting stored credentials instantly. Selecting the 'Fill website password and sign in automatically' option activates this behavior.

What happens? Edge populates usernames and passwords automatically upon landing on a recognized website.

1. Select Fill website password and sign in automatically, or suggest available passkeys.
2. If Windows Security asks for your device password, enter it.
3. Close the Settings tab when done.

Option B: Ask for Device Sign-In Before Filling

Requiring device authentication adds a defense layer, demanding a Windows password or fingerprint scan before credential insertion. Unauthorized personnel cannot access stored secrets without biometric or PIN verification. Enabling this prompt requires adjusting Edge password settings.

What happens? Edge pauses autofill operations until the user provides a Windows password or fingerprint verification.

1. Select Prompt for the device sign-in options before viewing or filling website password.
2. If Windows Security asks for your device password, enter it.
3. Choose from the dropdown menu:

   • Always ask permission (asks every time)
   • Ask permission once per browsing session (default — asks once per session)
4. Close the Settings tab when done.

Option C: Use a Custom Primary Password

A custom primary password delivers the highest security tier for stored credentials. Providing this master passphrase remains mandatory before every autofill operation. Selecting 'Primary password' inside configuration panels activates this protection tier.

What happens? Edge prompts for a custom master password. Browser autofill halts completely until that passphrase clears authentication.

1. Select Prompt for the custom primary password before viewing or filling website password.
2. If Windows Security asks for your device password, enter it.
3. Type in a new primary password and click Create.
4. Choose from the dropdown menu:

   • Always ask permission (asks every time)
   • Ask permission once per browsing session (default — asks once per session)
5. Close the Settings tab when done.
   

Turn Off Autofill Passwords using Registry

Disabling credential auto-insertion stops the browser from populating saved login data. Users must type credentials manually to access protected portals. Toggling off Autofill passwords and passkeys inside configuration menus achieves this goal.

What happens? Edge stops saving new credentials and halts all automated form completion.

1. Turn off the toggle for Autofill passwords and passkeys.
2. Close the Settings tab when done.

Option 2For All Users on Your Computer

Admin privileges required.

This section requires administrator privileges because it involves modifying policies that affect multiple accounts on the system.

Always Enable With Automatic Fill

Microsoft Edge enforces credential autofill system-wide across all user profiles. Stored passwords populate web forms automatically, and local users lack permissions to disable this behavior within individual browser menus. Executing specific commands within an elevated terminal enforces this mandate.

Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run this command:

Forced autofill remains active across all system accounts. The browser prompts users for device verification prior to form completion. Local users cannot disable this utility, though modifying prompt frequency remains permitted.

Enforcing a primary password mandates master passphrase verification across every profile on the machine before autofill functions. Local accounts cannot bypass this security restriction. Deploying this configuration requires downloading a specific registry file.

Click the Download button below to download the registry file, then follow the steps at step 7.

Disabling credential completion globally blocks password caching and automated filling throughout the operating system. Local users cannot reactivate password automation. System administrators control this parameter via enterprise deployment policies.

Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run this command:

Default Edge behavior handles credentials through user-controlled preferences. Each Windows 11 profile manages saving routines independently. Enabling the feature accelerates sign-ins, while disabling blocks credential retention entirely.

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v PrimaryPasswordSetting /f

Summary

Microsoft Edge provides flexible credential management choices spanning automated speed, device-authenticated security, and maximum protection through custom primary passwords.