Continued from page 1
Click KeyPass icon on your desktop to run it then select 'New Database' from 'File' menu. Enter a password for database. Click 'OK' repeat password and click 'OK' again.
Select 'Save Database' from 'File' menu and select a suitable folder and filename for database then click 'Save'.
You have now created a password database.
3. Add some entries to database
Right click in left hand pane of KeyPass window and select 'Add Password Group' from context menu. Type "Test" into box and click 'OK'. This creates a new group folder called 'Test' into which you can add entries.
Left click on 'Test' group in left hand pane then right click in right hand pane. Select 'Add Entry' from context menu.
Make up something for Title, Username, URL and Password.
Notice that clicking '...' button to right of Password field toggles between masked and unmasked view. When password is unmasked you can copy and paste it into another application.
KeyPass automatically generates a password in 'Add Entry' dialogue so you can use this one if you wish or type in your own. Clicking on 'Gen' button underneath '...' gives you KeyPass's 'Password Generator' where you can easily create a password without having to dream one up.
click 'OK' to commit entry to database.
Add some more groups and entries by repeating above process.
4. Set options
Select 'Options' from 'Edit' menu then click 'Start and Exit' tab.
Check 'Automatically open last used database on startup'. Check 'Automatically save database on exit'. Check 'Remember last opened. then click 'OK'
5. Save and Close
Close KeyPass window. When you open it again it will load up your database for you after you have entered master password.
Well that's all there is to it. You can now add all of your passwords into your new database and recall them whenever you want.
If you are still undecided whether to start using KeyPass then take another look at my review at: http://howdo-i.com/keypass.shtml
And take another look at KeyPass tutorial over at http://www.codeproject.com/tools/KeePass.asp for a better understanding of application.
If you have any questions about this article or you have a request for a future "HowDo-i" please email me at mailto:steve@howdo-i.com
Steve Garratt is a professional Software engineer dedicated to helping the average person get the most out of their computers and the Internet. Benefit from Steve's Experience by subscribing to the newsletter at http://howdo-i.com