Be it a site that provides free email service, online shopping or an online banking site, all of them demand a username and password. While using the same username and password for all the sites is JUST NOT a good idea; remembering dozens of them isn’t exactly easy either.
So what does one do under such circumstances? Well, there are programs known as password managers, that can save the day for you. These software programs allow you to store your registration related information in a secure electronic form. To login to a site you just need to enter a single master password that allows retrieval of the specific password information for that site.
The information is then used by the password manager to automatically login. This helps in assigning different passwords to individual sites, eliminating any need to remember them and therefore adding more security. If you are looking for such a utility check out our list of some of the best free password manager software for Windows 7.
Free Password Managers for Windows 7
LastPass
To make your web browsing easier and more secure the free LastPass password management program offers easy access from anywhere. It uses high-class encryption algorithms to keep you data secure and safe in every manner. The key to decrypt the data is available only to you, which means your information never travels over the Internet or touches servers.
LastPass Features:
- Creates strong passwords
- Stores unlimited passwords
- Automatically fills out forms for you, thereby saving time
- Manages your data from multiple computers seamlessly
- Supports Internet Explorer, Opera, Chrome, Safari, iPhone, Opera Mini, via Bookmarklets
- Ability to import passwords from other password managers such as Roboform, Keepass, PasswordSafe,
- In Windows, helps you recover lost passwords stored on your computer
LockCrypt
LockCrypt is another fine password manager for Windows. The program provides a secure, central database to store your passwords, telephone numbers and accounts related information. Different view modes enable quick sorting of accounts based on name, type or the creation or modified date.
LockCrypt uses Cipher Block Chaining and AES encryption that scrambles the information you enter so it is of no use to anyone without the password. Besides, it includes a password generator which generates passwords up to 511 characters in length.
LockCrypt features:
- AES or TwoFish encryption to provide secure storage for data.
- Password generator
- Secure clipboard to protect passwords
- Windows mobile version for PDAs and Smartphones
- J2ME version for Java capable mobile phones
- Groups to help keep accounts organized
- Support to export to XML, CSV, HTML or Plain text files
- Easy to use drag and drop interface
- Print output
KeePass
This free open-source password manager puts all your passwords in one database, which is then locked with one master-key or a key file. KeePass is quite simple to use.
You are just required to follow onscreen menu, enter a Website’s information and its corresponding user name and password.
The entry then automatically gets stored in an alphabetical directory with all your other entries.
KeyPass features:
- Highly encrypted databases
- Requires no installation
- Strong random password generator
- Consumes less memory
- Compatible with Windows OS (Windows 7, Vista, XP)
- Supports master passwords and key-disks
- Easy database transfer
- Time fields and entry attachment support
- Auto-type, global auto-type hot key combination and drag-n-drop support
- Multi-language support
- Open-Source!
Password Safe
With over 1 million downloads registered, Password Safe has become the ultimate choice of many users. It helps you to safely and easily create a secured and encrypted username and password list. You can choose to store all your passwords in a single encrypted master password list (an encrypted password database), or use multiple databases to further organize your passwords.
The free Windows utility uses Twofish encryption algorithm, a fast, free alternative to DES.
You can use Password Safe to store:
- Web site passwords
- Credit card and PIN numbers
- Computer logon passwords
- Telephone banking codes
- E-mail passwords
- Software access passwords
- Door entry and alarm codes
RoboForm
One of the very popular password and online form managers and probably one of the oldest, RoboForm is an easy to use freeware that has the ability to remember numerous passwords and usernames.
RoboForm offers 2 advantages
- It uses strong Encryption algorithms like BlowFish and AES for complete security and protection.
- Creates a Master password to remember set of passwords.
- Very useful and feature-rich browser toolbar.
The robust and top-rated password manager is compatible with Internet Explorer, Firefox, AOL and many other browsers. Installing RoboForm takes only few minutes and it does not require installation of any additional software. It is available in 2 versions, free and Pro. The former version has some limitations.
Thus, if you want to avoid the hassle of remembering dozens of passwords and usernames you could try out one of these free password managers for Windows 7. If you have any favorites, please do share them for the benefit of others.
You might want to also check out Sticky Password, a free password manager application that lets you store all your web account’s passwords, your identities and your personal data.
In a day or two,, I will list down some of the better free online password managers and discuss why some prefer to use them instead of these desktop versions.
