PassKeeper is a Windows utility that allows you to keep a list of accounts with usernames, passwords, and notes. This list is stored encrypted.

The utility is freeware and has been available for public download since the mid-90’s. Data are encrypted using the 56-bit DES cipher and stored in an DAT file in the application’s root directory. The size of the application (189 kilobytes) and the data file (~400 bytes/entry) are lightweight and can easily be carried around on any USB flash drive.

Image of PassKeeper running under Windows Vista

The application’s user interface (pictured left) is straight-forward and easy to use, and the system-oriented UI design has become more visually appealing as Windows has evolved.

One thing that hasn’t evolved, however, is the utility’s application icon. The application icon (not pictured) has looked outdated since about Windows 98. But fixing the blemish is easy enough. Just create a Windows Shortcut and use a different icon. The imageres.dll located in %windir%\system32\ in Windows Vista contains a decent-looking padlock icon that can be used if desired.

With a little practice, the entire utility can be navigated using only the keyboard, and passwords can be quickly copied from PassKeeper and pasted into online forms and desktop applications without the use of a mouse. Coincidentally, the copy/paste behavior may help enhance security by masking password keystrokes from key loggers.

Over time, one noticeable drawback of using PassKeeper is that it does not provide a built-in password generator. Another is that passwords copied to the clipboard are not automatically cleared after a set amount of time, requiring the user to do so by some other means—if at all. There is also a bug with account names using certain special characters, though in my ten years using the utility I only saw it once. According to program readme.txt on www.passkeeper.com the utility is limited to 128 entries, but offers a simple workaround for the limitation.

Overall, PassKeeper is a straight-forward, easy-to-use utility for managing and securing personal passwords and account data. And though it’s starting to show its age, it continues run stably as Windows evolves. If you decide to use PassKeeper and carry around password data on a USB flash drive, the 56-bit encryption used should buy most users plenty of time to change any sensitive passwords should the device be lost.

Other password managers worth checking out

• KeePass Password Safe — A free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way.
• KeePassX — Platform-independent port of KeePass Password Safe that works on Windows, Mac and Linux to name a few. Compatible with existing KeePass password databases.
• KeePassDroid — A port of the KeePass Password Safe for the Android platform.

Password managers to pass up

RoboForm — Though it has a version specifically for use with USB flash drives, RoboForm is reliant on a web browser to function; it is not suitable for managing desktop application passwords and may not function in all browsers.

The song|movie “name” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

Not so useful when a lot of files are moved at once. But if a directory containing hundreds of files needs to be moved, to a larger hard drive for example, locating files individually becomes too much work.

Of course, there’s always the “fresh start” approach. Just delete everything and start over… A good idea if iTunes ratings, playlists and play counts are not considered important keepsake. But to users who spend a good deal of time carefully tweaking song ratings and organizing playlists, scrapping their information and starting fresh may not be a desirable approach.

Thankfully there’s an easy workaround for the problem. A sane alternative to relocating files one at a time (like when you move hundreds or thousands of files). The workaround straightforward and reversible. And useful whenever moving many files together.

Applying it will allow users to move files around in bulk, while still hanging onto most of the iTunes metadata they have likely grown fond of.

Note:Some less significant meta information, such as Last Played time, is lost during the process.

Addressing the problem

Here are step-by-step instructions for updating the Library XML  and recreate the iTunes Library to enable file relocation when iTunes files are manually organized.

Backup iTunes Music Library

Before you move your files, do the following:

1. Close iTunes for now.
2. Create copies of the following:
   • (2x) Library XML (iTunes Music Library.xml)
   • (1x) Library ITL (iTunes Library.itl)
     Vista users can find the Library XML at C:\Users\<Username>\Music\iTunes
     Mac users can find the Library XML at /Users/<Username>/Music/iTunes

Relocate iTunes files as necessary

Before moving files note the following two necessary pieces of information:

1. The path where the files were previously stored (e.g. D:\Downloads\Music)
2. The path where the files will end up (e.g. E:\Music\Archive)

Hack the Library XML and delete the Library ITL

After your files are moved, complete the following steps to implement the fix.
Tip: Do not open iTunes during this process.

1. Open one of the Library XML copies created.
2. Perform a Find/Replace using the following inputs:
   Find: Path where files were moved from
   Replace: Path where files were moved to
3. Save and close the document, noting which file contains the modifications.
4. Delete the existing Library ITL.

Restart iTunes

Once the Library ITL has been deleted, restart iTunes. The application will open with a blank library; custom playlists, music and other items will be gone. To recover the data do the following:

1. Import the modified copy of the Library XML.
   In iTunes 8 and 9, choose File > Library > Import Playlist…
2. Navigate to and Open the modified Library XML.
3. iTunes will then import the file contents into the blank library.
4. Wait for the import to complete.

iTunes may display a dialog if any files cannot be located during the import process. The dialog can occur as a result of improper changes to the Library XML, or because the Library XML already contained references to files previously moved or renamed.

Wrapping up

Once the updated playlist is imported into iTunes lost songs and other media should be restored though there will be some duplicate playlists. Before deleting the extra playlists confirm the changes are working as expected. Once satisfied, delete the duplicates in the Library and enjoy your hard work. You’ve earned it.

If something goes wrong

If something goes wrong during the process, or if the results are not as expected, the original Library can be restored from the backup files created. To do so, close iTunes and copy the backup Library ITL and XML back to their original locations (overwrite existing files, if prompted) and restart iTunes to restore the previous Library.

Additional resources

Apple Support KB Article HT1451: How to re-create your iTunes library