Internet Explorer password recovery

When you log on to certain web sites, Internet Explorer asks you if you would like it to memorize your user name and password. When you choose to have Internet Explorer remember this data, these passwords get stored/hidden in a file called the ntuser.dat file (which resides within the "Documents & Settings" folder (XP) or "user" folder (Vista). In order to view these hidden passwords you need 3rd party software such as ABF Password Recovery or Advanced Internet Explorer Password Recovery.  This article explains how to recover passwords using these software.

Internet Explorer may store any or all of the following types of passwords: Internet Credentials, AutoComplete Data, AutoComplete Passwords, FTP Passwords, Synchronization Passwords for cached websites, Identities Passwords, AutoForms Data, and Content Advisor Password. To learn more about what these items are visit this page.

Unlike other browsers (such as Firefox), Internet Explorer just does NOT allow for recovery of it's stored passwords off of a computer that won't boot. Ordinarily a "key" or certificate must first be exported while logged on to the computer under the user profile for which the password data belongs to. Otherwise the only way to recover Internet Explorer passwords is to repair the system to the point that it will boot to the desktop and function well enough to back up the password data. Repairing an unbootable system may be hit and miss, which is why creating a safety clone of your system C drive may ultimately save any critical secure data that you may have such as Internet Explorer passwords.