How do I remove cached user credentials that are used for PEAP authentication in Windows XP?

When you successfully log on to a wireless network that uses Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) authentication, your credentials are automatically stored in the computer for reuse. For example, when you shut down and then restart your computer, you are automatically logged on to the wireless network. There is no option that you can configure in Windows XP to prevent the operating system from storing your credentials. By design, the cached credentials are not deleted and do not time out unless the user does not authenticate or the wireless network is removed from the preferred list. However, you can delete the registry key where your user credentials are stored. When you do this, you are prompted to enter your credentials the next time that you log on to the network.

This article helps you remove cached user credentials that are used for PEAP authentication on networks.

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To remove cached user credentials that are used for PEAP authentication

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
To remove your cached user credentials that are used for PEAP authentication, delete the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Eapol\UserEapInfo registry key. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Eapol\UserEapInfo
4. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
5. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.
6. Exit Registry Editor.

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Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus) .

For more information about PEAP support in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about wireless support in Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web site: