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

This tutorial shows you how to turn on or turn off autofill passwords and passkeys in Microsoft Edge. You can do this for just your account or for all users on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why This Matters

Microsoft Edge can save your passwords as you type them. The next time you visit a website, Edge fills in your login information automatically. This saves time. But it also means anyone with access to your computer could log into your accounts. That’s why Edge lets you add extra security steps before passwords are filled in.

What You Should Know

Microsoft Edge stores passwords in an encrypted format on your computer. If you sign into Edge with your Microsoft account, your saved passwords sync across all your devices.

You can also manually add passwords to the password manager in Microsoft Edge.

Edge gives you three ways to protect your saved 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 One: For 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.
   

   If you don’t see a sidebar, click the three horizontal lines menu at the top left.

4. Click More settings.

Option A: Fill Passwords Automatically (Default)

Why choose this? It’s the fastest way to log into websites. You don’t have to do anything extra.

What happens? Edge will fill in your username and password automatically when you visit a 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

Why choose this? It adds a security layer. Someone can’t use your passwords without your device password.

What happens? Before Edge fills in a password, it asks you to enter your Windows password or use your fingerprint.

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

Why choose this? It’s the strongest protection. Only someone who knows your special password can access your saved passwords.

What happens? Edge asks you to create a custom password. You must enter this password before Edge will fill in any saved passwords.

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

Why turn this off? You might want to type in passwords manually for extra security.

What happens? Edge will not save or fill in passwords anymore.

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

Option Two: For All Users on Your Computer

Admin privileges required.

This option uses the Group Policy for Microsoft Edge. You must be signed in as an administrator to use this method.

Always Enable With Automatic Fill

What happens? All users must have autofill turned on. Passwords fill in automatically. Users cannot turn this off.

Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run this command:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v PrimaryPasswordSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Always Enable With Device Sign-In Prompt

What happens? All users must have autofill turned on. Edge asks for device sign-in before filling passwords. Users cannot turn this off but can choose how often to be asked.

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v PrimaryPasswordSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Always Enable With Custom Primary Password

What happens? All users must have autofill turned on. Edge asks for a primary password before filling passwords. Users cannot turn this off but can change the primary password.

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

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v PrimaryPasswordSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

Disable Autofill for All Users

What happens? All users cannot use autofill. Passwords will not be saved or filled in automatically. Users cannot turn this on.

Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run this command:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v PrimaryPasswordSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f

Allow User Choice (Default)

What happens? This is the standard setting. Each user can turn autofill on or off in their own settings.

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

Summary

Microsoft Edge makes it easy to save and fill passwords automatically. You have three security levels to choose from for your account: automatic fill (fastest), device sign-in required (medium security), or custom primary password (highest security). If you’re an administrator, you can also set password autofill rules for all users on the computer. Choose the option that works best for your security needs.