Google Says Sorry After Passwords Vanish For 15 Million Windows Users

Highlights

• Chrome passwords vanished for 15 million Windows users due to a bug
• Issue affected the M127 version of Chrome on Windows computers
• Temporary and permanent fixes were provided by Google
• Users advised to restart Chrome to restore passwords

Google recently faced a major problem with its Chrome browser on Windows.

For nearly 18 hours, many users couldn’t find or save their passwords.

This issue affected about 15 million people, causing frustration and concern.

Google has since fixed the problem and apologized for the inconvenience.

What Happened to the Passwords?

On July 24, Google made a change to Chrome without proper safeguards.

This caused a bug that made passwords disappear for many Windows users.

People couldn’t see their saved passwords or add new ones to Chrome’s password manager.

The problem only affected the M127 version of Chrome on Windows computers.

Google estimates that about 2% of the affected users experienced this issue.

While that might sound small, it actually means around 15 million people saw their passwords vanish.

This shows how even a small percentage can impact many people when dealing with a popular service like Chrome.

How Google Fixed the Problem

Google worked quickly to solve the issue.

They first offered a temporary fix, but it wasn’t very user-friendly.

Users had to launch Chrome with a special command, which most people would find difficult.

Thankfully, Google fully fixed the problem on July 25.

Now, users just need to restart their Chrome browser to get their passwords back.

Google apologized for the disruption and thanked users for their patience.

 “We apologize for the inconvenience this service disruption/outage may have caused,” said Google.

This incident reminds us how important it is for big tech companies to be careful when making changes.

Even small mistakes can affect millions of users.

It also shows why it’s good to have backup methods for storing important information like passwords.

If you use Chrome on Windows and still have issues with your passwords, Google suggests contacting their support team.

As always, it’s a good idea to keep your browser updated and to have alternative ways to access your passwords, just in case similar problems happen in the future.

FAQs

What caused the disappearance of passwords in Chrome for Windows users?

A change made by Google to Chrome on July 24 caused a bug, resulting in passwords disappearing for many Windows users. This issue affected the M127 version of Chrome.

How many users were impacted by the Chrome passwords issue?

Approximately 15 million users were affected, representing about 2% of Chrome’s Windows user base.

How did Google fix the Chrome passwords issue?

Google initially provided a temporary fix that required launching Chrome with a special command.

A full fix was implemented on July 25, allowing users to restore passwords by simply restarting Chrome.

What should users do if they still experience password issues in Chrome?

Users who continue to have issues with their passwords in Chrome should contact Google’s support team for assistance.

Why is it important to have backup methods for storing passwords?

Having backup methods for storing passwords is crucial because even small technical issues can impact millions of users, as seen in this incident.

It ensures that users can still access their important information in case of similar problems in the future.

Also Read: Google Password Manager Now Supports Direct CSV Import and Export

Also Read: Google Enhances Family Password Sharing in Chrome and Updates Google Chat