Can't save credentials in MacOS version of Windows App

Paul Sligar 30

When trying to change credentials in Remote Desktop/Windows App on Mac OSX 15.0.1, I get a message that credentials won't be saved because app can access Keychain. I assume this is a certificate issue? The Windows App version is 11.0.5 (2401).

Karlie Weng 19,141 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-10-25T00:45:48.8333333+00:00

Hello,

Could you check your authentication method, whether you are using a certificate authentication instead of using your credentials.
Martin 10 Reputation points

2024-11-15T13:31:40.7266667+00:00

I had the same issue after upgrading from the old "Remote Desktop" to the new "Windows App".

I added new credentials and deleted the old ones. The new credentials can be edited.
Elmar D. Manejero 0 Reputation points

2024-12-04T07:17:04.1366667+00:00

there is no com.microsoft.rdc.macos
Chris Cantrell 0 Reputation points

2024-12-19T23:39:33.62+00:00

Hi, I have a fresh install .. MacOS 15.2. Since going to WindowsApp, I always get this message.

I've reset my keychain and still coming up blank. Any additional suggestions?

BTW, I do download the app through Essentials, which is the replacement for the Mac App Store for businesses. I don't see how that could have an impact ... but I could be wrong.

Thanks.

Unable to add credentials

Unable to access the default keychain.

New credentials can't be created and saved. You can lock and unlock the default keychain to try to restore access.
Gutemberg Ribeiro 0 Reputation points

2025-01-10T15:21:58.47+00:00

This issue has bitten me. Thanks to Andy Little for the reply.

This is definitively an oversee from the app's developer. It should be requested access again from the app. New credentials it works fine, since it will be owned by the new app identity, but existing ones will not and require this workaround because of that.

Again, thanks Andy! Saved me a lot of time.
Antonio Abella 0 Reputation points

2025-01-15T19:46:28.8+00:00

I experience the same with the following error message:

We couldn't save your credentials because of an error. These credentials will not be saved if you continue.

I have experienced this both with and without having a Work account logged in. Initially I am able to save credentials and connections for a time, until a few hours later where I start getting prompted for credentials again. When I go to the saved credentials list in Settings once Windows App is in this state, what I see is my list of saved credential entries but the username and password fields are blank for each one and not editable.

If I try to create a new saved credential in this state, I get the error message I pasted above.

At this point I Force Close Windows App. Upon re-opening Windows App I get the First-Run splash screen. All saved connections and credentials are gone. The saved credentials still appear in Keychain Access under com.microsoft.rdc.macos but Windows App apparently cannot fetch them.

Now in this "fresh" state I can add connections and credentials again, until eventually the process repeats.

2 answers

andy little 65 Reputation points

2024-12-03T16:05:51.7566667+00:00
After "upgrading" to the latest Remote Desktop app on macOS -- now called "Windows App", you will not be able to save passwords as the app doesn't have access to your keychain for previously-stored passwords. To remedy this:

Open Keychain Access

Open the default keychain where your passwords are stored (usually called "login").

Search in the upper right for "com.microsoft.rdc.macos" -- this will show the stored password items.

For each item:

Right click and select Get Info

Click Access Control tab

Click +

Navigate to Applications and select Windows App

Click Save Changes - this will require authentication.
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13 people found this answer helpful.
MrSuaveh 0 Reputation points

2024-12-18T22:27:46.3666667+00:00

Thanks @andy little that worked for me!

Andreasi, Roberto 0 Reputation points

2025-01-13T07:51:01.27+00:00

Thank you @andy little , it works!

Michael Bradley 0 Reputation points

2025-01-27T12:55:24.6833333+00:00

Thanks, Andy, this had me baffled.

Don Langham 0 Reputation points

2025-03-07T20:40:55.61+00:00

I have been using Windows App for about 6 months and have only just now had the problem of not being able to access the saved passwords. Andy's instructions seem to have done the trick.
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Chris Cantrell 0 Reputation points

2024-12-20T01:10:10.2866667+00:00

Update. This is 100% related to having a work account signed in. Remove work account and it works fine.
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Kim Joris Boström 0 Reputation points

2025-01-06T10:54:33.8666667+00:00

What does this mean? How do I remove a "work account"? And what if I don't want to remove it?
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Can't save credentials in MacOS version of Windows App

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