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This guide provides instructions on how to set up KeePassXC password manager.

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KeePassXC is an evolution of the KeePass password manager, which stores data in your local device. It can be used on the following devices:

  • iOS devices - iPad, iPhone, iMac, Apple MacBook
  • Android devices
  • Windows OS computers, laptops and tablets
  • Linux

The University of Tartu recommends:

Additional information: KeePassXC: User Guide, How to use KeePassXC.

Table of Contents

About KeePassXC

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titlePros and cons

Pros:

  • Open-source and free
  • Advanced security features
  • Customizable database format
  • Supports auto-filling passwords
  • Syncs across devices (with third-party sync tools)
  • Smart device applications available
  • Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions are available

Cons:

  • Can be more complex to set up than other options
  • Syncing across devices requires third-party tools
  • No official support for Internet Explorer or Safari browsers

Summary: KeePassXC is a highly customizable and secure option that offers auto-filling passwords and syncs across devices with third-party tools. It's best for users who prioritize security and customization but are willing to invest more time in the initial setup. It also offers smart device applications and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge.

If stronger security is needed and you want to be in complete control of your passwords, KeePassXC is the best choice.


Expand
titleKey features of KeePassXC

Installation

Expand
titleInstallation (Microsoft Windows desktop application)
  1. Open the KeyPassXC website (https://keepassxc.org/download).
  2. Click the See more options button and select Portable ZIP (64-bit, Windows 10/11) → Download.


  3. Extract the KeePassXC-2.7.5-Win64.zip file.
  4. Open the KeePassXC application in the unzipped folder.

  5. The KeePassXC password manager application will open.
  6. To install updates automatically, select Yes in the opened window.


Expand
titleCreating a database and making an entry
  1. On the home page, select Create new database.
  2. In the General Database Information window that opens, fill in the cells as follows:
    1. Database Name: enter the Database name
      Description: enter description of the database
  3. In the Encryption Settings window that opens, select the following settings:
    1. Decryption Time: 1.0s
    2. Database format: KDBX 4 (recommended)
    3. If necessary, you can also go to the Advanced Settings panel, where you can change the encryption algorithm, key derivation function, conversion multiplier, memory usage and parallelism.
    4. After making the settings, press Continue.
  4. Enter the database master password. You can also generate it by pressing the dice symbol next to the password cell. Then press Done.
  5. Choose the location C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive - University of Tartu\Documents, where <username> is the computer's username.
    If necessary, rename the database to your liking and press Save.
  6. The created database opens.
  7. Press the right mouse button on the white background or press CTRL+I on the keyboard and select New Entry to add a new entry to the database.
    Then fill in the cells as follows:
    1. Title: enter the title of the entry (we recommend writing the page where you use the entry here)
    2. Username: enter the username
    3. Password: enter the password (if necessary, the application will automatically generate a strong password to use)
    4. URL: enter the entry link (web address where you use the entry)
    5. Tags: add tags to associate the entry with (e.g. external web, internal web, etc.)
    6. Quality: check the strength of the password (on the scale red → green, where red means weak and green means strong)
    7. Expires: set the expiration date of the entry (if you add a checkmark, you can add the time when the entry expires, initially this function is disabled)
    8. Notes: add notes (you can add clarifying notes)
    9. Press OK to save.