Symptom

When you click the Manage my network passwords link in the User Accounts applet in order to add or remove the stored credentials, the Stored User Names and Passwords dialog opens, but the command buttons may be grayed out. Also, the Add button may be missing.

Resolution

This happens if the security Policy Do not allow the storage of credentials is enabled. To disable the Policy, use the steps below.

For Windows XP Professional

  • Click Start, Run and type Secpol.msc
  • Under Local Policies, select Security Options
  • In the right-pane, scroll down the list and locate the following entry:

Network access: Do not allow the storage of credentials or .NET Passports for network authentication

  • Double-click the option and set it to Disabled
  • Close the Local Security Settings window
  • Restart Windows for the changes to take effect

Here is the registry key that stores the above setting


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa]
"disabledomaincreds"=dword:00000000