As an old-fashioned password management software, the biggest feature of Keepass is its open source nature. You don't have to worry about the security and compatibility of the software. It not only covers all platforms, but also has numerous developers who have designed rich plugins to enhance its functionality. Especially when you combine it with sync cloud storage services like Nut Cloud or OneDrive, you can achieve multi-platform password synchronization, which is very user-friendly for those who often forget their passwords.
About Download Versions#
It is strongly recommended to download the Portable version, because the installation version can be directly accessed on the sync drive, saving the trouble of installing it every time. Download link: Keepass official website
Note: In addition to the Windows system installation package recommended by the official website, there are also common platforms such as MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and web at the bottom of the page. The plugin of the efficiency tool utools still supports it.
How to Use#
There are many tutorials on how to use Keepass online, and most of them can be found in video format. The following content is only a simple description of how to use it.
- Changing the language to Chinese
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After downloading and installing, click on the "view" button in the menu bar, select "change language", and click "get more". It will automatically pop up the download page of the language pack on the official website. Select the Chinese Simplified version with the five-star red flag.
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Unzip the downloaded language pack and put it in the specified folder. The folder address is: "view - change language - open folder" in the menu bar.
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Reopen "change language" and select Chinese.
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- Creating a database
- Select "File - New" (Ctrl+N), and it is recommended to put the entire Keepass folder or the database that needs to be synchronized on the sync drive. I personally recommend Nut Cloud and OneDrive. I have used both methods. Nut Cloud has fast domestic access speed, but the downside is that it has limited traffic, with 1GB of upload traffic and 3GB of download traffic per month. OneDrive is stable and has a large amount of storage, and you can easily get 15GB of capacity on Taobao. It is only used as a sync drive and is more than enough.
- Set a password, which is your main password. You must be familiar with it, because if you forget it, you won't be able to recover it.
- It is also recommended to set a key file, which can be any file. For partners who use a simple main password and use a single password for a long time, this provides an additional layer of protection.
- Password generation
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Select the appropriate type in the left group column, click "Add Entry" (Ctrl+I), and enter the required title, username, password, and website in order. It is worth noting that the password option can be clicked on the key icon to select more types, thereby increasing your security level.
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The remarks section can be used to input a short nickname for the record or add tags to facilitate future search and indexing.
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At the bottom, there is a line for expiration reminders, reminding you to change your password regularly to improve the security of your software. For unimportant software, you can uncheck it to avoid the embarrassing situation of the password not being displayed on the homepage after it expires.
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- About plugins
- The official website has a detailed plugin directory to facilitate software enhancement. The specific usage will not be described in detail here, as there are detailed videos and articles on Bilibili and Zhihu. Users who need them can search for them on their own. The following plugins are only personal and subjective recommendations. Please build them according to your own needs.
- YetAnotherFaviconDownloader (able to download the logo of the corresponding website, which is helpful for organizing and distinguishing)
Cloud Sync#
The following content is based on actual demonstrations using OneDrive, and it is similar for other similar cloud storage services.
No specific settings are required. Just select the entire folder, drag it into any folder you choose in OneDrive, and that's it. After that, Keepass will automatically sync all your modifications, without you having to worry about it at all.
Recommended Third-Party Compatible Software#
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For Windows, without a doubt, the official portable version is the easiest to install.
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For iOS, I used to use Strongbox, which cost 30 per year (I think), but then the price increased to 50. So I switched to Keepassium, which is very easy to use. It is even better than the paid Strongbox. It supports fingerprint unlock, face unlock, cloud import, and you can open it without having to do anything.
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For MacOS, I have only used MacPass so far, and the effect is okay. It is not as smooth as the mobile version. The usual method is to unlock it on the mobile side, copy it, and paste it on the local network.
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For Android, I have used KeepassDroid, Keepass2Android, and KeepassDX, but I haven't found one that suits my preferences. Maybe it's because I use Android less and haven't explored it enough.
In general, in this era where all websites, apps, and platforms are competing to obtain your personal information and require various registrations to access half of their features, password management is still necessary. At least it can prevent all your accounts from being stolen or lost due to a simple operation one day. Even if my data is not valuable, it is still my personal privacy!