How do I transfer Password Depot and my databases to a new computer?

Moving to a new computer takes only a few steps with Password Depot: install the program on the new computer, unlock it with your unlock code, and copy your database files. Your passwords are stored exclusively in the encrypted database files – these are the only thing you really need to back up.

Step by step

1. Copy the databases from the old computer. By default, your databases are stored in the folder Documents\Password Depot. Current databases have the file extension .pswe; older formats include .pswd, .pswx, or .psw7. Copy all of these files (e.g. via USB stick or a network share) to the new computer, preferably back into the folder Documents\Password Depot. You can see the location actually in use under Edit → Options (F10) → Save → Working directories.

2. Take your backup files with you. Also copy the subfolder Documents\Password Depot\Backup – it contains your automatic backup files (.bckd).

3. Do not forget the key file. If your database is (also) protected with a key file (.pdk), transfer it as well – without it, the database cannot be opened.

4. Install Password Depot on the new computer. Download the program from the download page of our website. Make sure to install the main version matching your unlock code; older versions are available on the previous-versions page (see Related topics).

5. Unlock. Enter your unlock code again on the new computer via Help → Unlock. The unlock code is valid for one main version and can be reused on the new computer within the scope of the license terms.

6. Open the database and log in as usual with your master password and/or key file. Afterwards, save databases in older formats in the current .pswe format via Database → Save as.

Optional: If you want to keep your program settings, copy the file pwdepot.cfg from the settings directory of the old computer to that of the new one. You can open this directory from within the program via Help → Settings directory (C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\AceBIT\Password Depot 19).

Note: Very old database formats such as .psw6, .psw7, .psw8, .pswx, and .psw are no longer supported in Password Depot 19. If you still have such a file, first open it in Password Depot 18 and save it in the .pswe format.

Modern alternative: database in the cloud

If you store your database in a cloud service (e.g. OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or HiDrive), there is no manual copying: on the new computer, simply sign in to the cloud service again in Password Depot (Home → Add location storage). The database resides in the cloud exclusively in AES-256-encrypted form and is only ever decrypted locally.

Note: Very old versions (version 11 and older) can no longer be unlocked on a new computer via the activation server – only manually via the registry (see Related topics).

Related topics:

• Where do I get current and older versions of Password Depot – and how do updates work?

• Can I use one license on multiple computers?

• I did not receive my unlock code or lost it – what can I do?

• Why can Password Depot 11 or older no longer be activated?

• How can I use my passwords on multiple devices?