Save Password Check Box Is Unavailable

Last reviewed: August 12, 1998
Article ID: Q137361

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you are using Dial-Up Networking, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • When you are using Dial-Up Networking or you are attempting to connect to a shared network resource that requires a password, the option to save the password that you are entering may not be available. When you are using Dial-Up Networking, this option normally appears as a Save Password check box. When you are connecting to a shared network resource, this option normally appears as a Save This Password In Your Password List check box.
  • If you have installed Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01, and you click Internet Options on the View menu, click the Connection tab, click "Connect to the Internet using a modem," and then click Settings, the Connect Automatically To Update Subscriptions check box may be unavailable.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you are not currently logged on to Windows 95. If you click Cancel in the logon dialog box that appears when Windows 95 is starting, your password cache list file is not opened, and your passwords cannot be saved.

This behavior can also occur if you have installed Dial-Up Networking but the client for Microsoft Networks or the client for NetWare Networks has not been installed.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods:

Method 1

When you start Windows 95, do not click Cancel in the logon dialog box. If you do not have a password, create a new one by typing it in the Password box, or create a null password by clicking OK. If you create a null password, you are no longer prompted to log on to Windows 95 when Windows 95 starts. Creating a null password does not prevent other people from accessing your computer, but does allow you to save your password when you are using Dial-Up Networking or a shared network resource.

NOTE: Creating a null password does not allow you to save your Dial-Up Networking password if you are using user profiles. Using user profiles prevents the Dial-Up Networking password from being saved.

To restart Windows 95 so that you receive the logon dialog box, use the appropriate method.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Not Installed:

Click Start, click Shut Down, click "Close all programs and log on as a different user", and then click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Installed:

Click Start, click Log Off <username>, and then click Yes.

Method 2

Install the client for Microsoft Networks or the client for NetWare Networks in Network properties.

Method 3

To correct this, go to Start | Settings | Control Panel | Passwords and select User Profiles. Change the setting to "Users can customize their preferences...". This will require you to enter a user password when you start Windows, but will also create a PL file that will allow you to save this password as well as the password for the dialer.

MORE INFORMATION

Password cache list files are associated with individuals. If you do not log on to Windows 95, Windows 95 does not know who you are, and cannot open your password cache list file.

For more information about this issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q148925

   TITLE     : Dial-Up Networking Password Is Not Saved