KeePass is a free and open supply password supervisor geared towards energy customers and tech fanatics.

On this article, we stroll you thru the way to arrange and use KeePass. We additionally reply some incessantly requested questions on KeePass and its characteristic set.

1. Downloading and putting in KeePass

Not like different fashionable password managers, KeePass is a totally free password supervisor. Which means you received’t have to fret about shedding out on options for selecting to obtain the free model or choosing one paid subscription over one other.

In our hands-on assessment, KeePass obtained a rating of three.2 out of 5 stars. Take a look at our full KeePass assessment.

To obtain KeePass, I went on their official web site and navigated to the Downloads part. I’m utilizing my private Home windows laptop computer so I selected to click on on the KeePass Installer for Home windows.

Should you’re utilizing a distinct working system, merely search for the suitable obtain hyperlink beneath KeePass’ Contributed/Unofficial KeePass Ports record.

After it completed downloading, I ran the setup installer and went by means of the required set up steps. As soon as put in, I launched the app and was redirected to a clean KeePass dashboard.

As we famous in our full KeePass assessment, KeePass doesn’t have a lot when it comes to an preliminary information on the way to use their software program.

Thankfully, I’ll present you the way to set all the pieces up on this article.

2. Establishing a KeePass database

As soon as I obtained to this clean dashboard, I went over to the menu bar and hovered over File and clicked New.

This may immediate KeePass to start out making a New Database. A KeePass database is your password vault. It’s the file that can retailer your passwords and different info securely.

After clicking New, KeePass requested me if I wished to proceed in creating a brand new database and I clicked OK. From there, I selected the place I wished to have my new database file saved and its.

Afterwards, KeePass prompted me to supply a grasp password for my database.The grasp password is necessary as a result of it serves as your important key to entry your KeePass databases. In principle, that is the one password you have to to manually create and keep in mind, as KeePass has a built-in password generator that may create random and safe passwords.

Clicking on “Present skilled choices” brings up KeePass’ two choices for multi-factor authentication (MFA): key file and linking to a Home windows consumer account.

Selecting key file permits you to set a file to avoid wasting — in your pc, a USB flash drive, or one other gadget — to behave as a further requirement in tandem along with your grasp password to entry your database.

In the meantime, linking to a Home windows consumer account permits you to entry your KeePass database provided that you’re logged into a particular Home windows consumer account.

For this demonstration, I selected to solely have a grasp password. After setting a password, I re-typed my chosen identify for the brand new database.

SEE: Penetration Testing and Scanning Coverage (roosho Premium)

3. Saving a brand new entry with KeePass

Now that we’ve obtained a database to work with, it’s time to avoid wasting our first password entry. As we noticed, KeePass contains two pattern entries while you create your first database. You possibly can mess around with these to get a really feel for the way it works.

To save lots of a brand new entry, you’ll be able to both click on the brand new entry button on the menu bar, proper click on on any house throughout the dashboard, and click on Add Entry or use the shortcut Ctrl + I.

On this case, I used the brand new entry button. From there, KeePass confirmed me the add entry menu and I stuffed within the fields for the Goodreads account I wished to create.

By default, KeePass will generate a 20-character password however you’ll be able to select the size. You may also set it to have both numbers, higher or decrease case letters, and particular symbols.

After I completed filling out the fields, I checked the generated password, pressed OK, and my KeePass login was saved.

To entry my new Goodreads credentials, I had the choice to go to the newly saved login, proper click on it, and replica the saved username or password.

KeePass incessantly requested questions (FAQs)

Is KeePass truly free?

Sure, KeePass is totally free. That is one in all its important promoting factors because it doesn’t have any paid or premium model. As a substitute, you get all its password administration options free of charge.

Does KeePass have a cell app?

Whereas KeePass doesn’t have an official cell software per se, it has plenty of cell ports that had been created by its group members. As of publication, KeePass had six Android ports and 5 iOS ports listed on their official web site.

What are KeePass plugins?

These are downloadable add-ons created by KeePass customers that stretch the performance and options of the bottom consumer. They will vary from having extra multifactor authentication choices, the power to vary the looks of KeePass, or bake in new import and export capabilities.

How do I add KeePass plugins?

After downloading the ZIP file of your chosen KeePass plugin, head over to the Instruments button on the KeePass menu bar. From there, click on the Plugins button then click on Open Folder. This opens the “Plugins folder” of your KeePass consumer.

After you have that open, extract the ZIP file of your downloaded plugin and replica the extracted folder into the KeePass “Plugins folder.” Afterwards, restart the KeePass software to correctly load your new plugin.

Be sure that your chosen plugin is suitable with the model of KeePass you might have put in in your pc.

The place can I’m going if I encounter points with KeePass?

KeePass has an official Assist Middle web page that homes totally different guides and articles to handle points. You may also go to its sturdy group discussion board discovered on SourceForge to get some help from different KeePass customers.

The place ought to I maintain my KeePass database?

I counsel you to retailer your KeePass database on a number of areas. Except for having a duplicate in your important pc, you may as well retailer it on a separate USB flash drive, an exterior arduous drive or SSD, or a secondary machine.

This ensures that you’ve a backup of all of your information and in addition offers you extra methods to entry your logins everytime you want them.

Some customers select to avoid wasting their database information on the cloud for comfort and simpler entry. Nevertheless, this will increase the chance of your information being leaked on-line so ensure that your chosen cloud storage methodology is safe.

What we consider KeePass

In our full assessment, KeePass obtained a ranking of three.2 out of 5 stars. We highlighted its customizability and distinctive plugin system as its important standout options. This makes it a main selection for energy customers that desire a safe and customized password supervisor expertise.

Sadly, its unintuitive consumer interface, steep studying curve, and dated design make it arduous to suggest for much less tech savvy customers, particularly in comparison with different password managers.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full KeePass assessment.