Outlook Express/Outlook Won’t Save Passwords

Symptoms: Every time you open Outlook Express or Outlook you are asked to re-enter your password even though the Save Password box is checked (or grayed out).

Problem: Generally this is caused by a problem in the Registry with the Protected Storage System Provider key.

Resolution: Follow the steps below to fix this problem or visit Microsoft’s Knowledge Base article 29684 for an even more detailed information.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. There is no guarantee that problems that you cause by using Registry Editor incorrectly can be resolved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Back Up The Registry Just to be safe you should back up this registry key before making modifications.
   1. Click Start, Run, and type regedit in the box, and then click OK.
   2. In the left panel, click the pluses next to:
      • HKEY_CURRENT_USER
      • Software
      • Microsoft
   3. Right click on Protected Storage System Provider and select Export.
   4. In the File name box, type a unique name for the key.
   5. In the Save In box, click a location for the file to be saved (the Desktop is recommended).
   6. Click Save
2. Change the Permissions
   1. Still in the Registry, Right click on Protected Storage System Provider and select Permissions.
   2. Click the user name for the user that is currently logged on and ensure that Read and Full Control permissions are both set to “Allow”.
   3. Click on the Advanced button, and select the Permissions tab.
   4. Highlight the currently logged on user, and make sure that Full Control is listed in the Permissions column, and that This Key and Subkeys is listed in the Apply To column.
   5. Place a check mark in the box for “Replace Permission Entries on all Child Objects with Entries Shown Here that Apply to Child Objects”.
   6. Click Apply.
   7. A box will appear asking if you are sure you want to do this; click Yes.
   8. Click OK and then Click OK again to return to the Registry Editor.
3. Delete the Key
   1. Click the plus sign next to Protected Storage System Provider key.
   2. Right click the user sub-key folder that will look similar to:
      S-1-5-21-3723271197-400000000-0000000000-0000.
   3. Click Delete and then click Yes in the Confirm Key Delete dialog box that appears.
   4. Each identity may have a sub-key under the Protected Storage System Provider key. Delete all of the user sub-key folders under the Protected Storage System Provider key using the same method.
   5. Close the Registry and Reboot the Computer.
4. Reenter Password in Outlook Express or Outlook
   1. Open Outlook Express or Outlook.
   2. When you are prompted to Enter password, go ahead and retype it and make sure the Save Password box is checked.

Depending on whether you are using Outlook or Outlook Express the exact method will vary. In all cases, accessing the Tools menu and selecting the choice related to Accounts will point you in the right direction. Select the user account and the option to change or modify its properties. There will be a box to be checked to save the password once it has been re-entered. It will be necessary to perform the password re-entry for each separate e-mail account. Reboot after each account change. This should complete the steps for fixing the problem of the password not being saved in Outlook Express or Outlook.

Articles at Microsoft, PC Hell, and The Elder Geek provided background information for this blog entry.