Getting started — Create your account

The account protects the vault on this PC. It is not an OpenPGP key and it is not a license.

When you need this

  • First run, when sign-in says there is no vault
  • You have not created a username for this copy of the program yet
  • The login password must be at least eight characters. Longer is better.
  • Watch the strength meter. Weak (red) is a poor choice for a vault.

If the vault file already exists, use Sign in, not Create account. Creating a second vault is a different Settings / file-location task.

Before you start

  • Choose a username you will remember.
  • Choose a login password at least as strong as the meter allows (long and not a single dictionary word).
  • This password unlocks every key in the vault file. If you lose it, the vault cannot be opened.

Steps

  1. On the sign-in window, choose Create account.
  2. Enter a username.
  3. Enter a password, then enter it again to confirm.
  4. The password must be at least eight characters. Watch the strength meter. Prefer medium or strong.
  5. Complete creation.
  6. You are returned to sign-in. Enter the same username and password and sign in.

After a successful sign-in the key store opens. It is empty until you compose or import a key.

What was created

  • A vault file (.ngw3) in the location shown later under Settings → Key store
  • Your administrator login inside that vault

OpenPGP key passphrases are set later, when you compose or import a secret key. They can be different from the login password.

If creation fails

  • Passwords do not match: enter both again.
  • Password too short: use at least eight characters (longer is better).
  • Vault already exists: sign in instead, or move/rename the old vault only if you intend to start over (that hides the old keys).

Next

Getting started → Create your first key or Import a key.