Your KeePass database file is encrypted using a master key. This master key can consist of multiple components: a master password, a key file and/or a key that is protected using the current Windows user account.

If you forget/lose any of the master key components (or forget the composition), all data stored in the database is lost. There is no backdoor and no universal key that can open your database.

Master Password

If you use a master password, you only have to remember one password or passphrase (which should be good!) to open your database.

KeePass features a protection against brute-force and dictionary attacks; see the security help page for details.

Key File

A key file is a file that contains a key (and possibly additional data, e.g. a hash that allows to verify the integrity of the key). The file extension typically is 'keyx' or 'key'.

A key file must not be modified, otherwise you cannot open your database anymore. If you want to use a different key file, open the dialog for changing the master key (via 'File' → 'Change Master Key') and create/select the new key file.

Two-factor protection. A key file is something that you must have in order to be able to open the database (in contrast to a master password, which you must know). If you use both a key file and a master password, you have a two-factor protection: possession and knowledge.

Location. As mentioned above, the idea of a key file is that you have something. If an attacker obtains both your database file and your key file, then the key file provides no protection. Therefore, the two files must be stored in different locations. For example, you could store the key file on a separate USB stick.

Hiding the location. The key file content must be kept secret, not its location (file path/name). Trying to hide the key file (e.g. by storing it among a thousand other files, in the hope that an attacker does not know which file is the correct one) typically does not increase the security, because it is easy to find out the correct file (e.g. by inspecting the last access times of files, lists of recently used files of the operating system, file system auditing logs, anti-virus software logs, etc.).

KeePass has an option for remembering the paths of key files, which is turned on by default; turning it off typically just decreases the usability without increasing the security. This option only affects KeePass itself (i.e. turning it off does not prevent the operating system or other software from remembering the paths). If you only want to prevent a key file from appearing in the recently used files list of Windows (which does not really affect the security) after selecting it in KeePass, consider turning on the option for entering the master key on a secure desktop (KeePass will then show a simpler key file selection dialog that does not add the file to the recently used files list of Windows).

Backup. You should create a backup of your key file (onto an independent data storage device). If your key file is an XML file (which is the default), you can also create a backup on paper (KeePass 2.x provides a command for printing a key file backup in the menu 'File' → 'Print'). In any case, the backup should be stored in a secure location, where only you and possibly a few other people that you trust have access to. More details about backing up a key file can be found in the ABP FAQ.

Reuse. You can use one key file for multiple database files. This can be convenient, but please keep in mind that when an attacker obtains your key file, you have to change the master keys of all database files protected with this key file.

KeePass 1.x Only

In order to reuse an existing key file, click on the button with the 'Save' icon in the master key creation dialog and select the existing file. After accepting the dialog, KeePass will ask you whether to overwrite or reuse the file (see screenshot).

KeePass 2.x Only

In order to reuse an existing key file, click on the 'Browse' button in the master key creation dialog.

Windows User Account

KeePass 1.x Only

KeePass 1.x does not support encrypting databases using Windows user account credentials. Only KeePass 2.x and higher support this.

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For Administrators: Specifying Minimum Properties of Master Keys

Administrators can specify a minimum length and/or the minimum estimated quality that master passwords must have in order to be accepted. You can tell KeePass to check these two minimum requirements by adding/editing appropriate definitions in the INI/XML configuration file.

KeePass 1.x Only

The value of the KeeMasterPasswordMinLength key can contain the minimum master password length in characters. For example, by specifying KeeMasterPasswordMinLength=10, KeePass will only accept master passwords that have at least 10 characters.

The value of the KeeMasterPasswordMinQuality key can contain the minimum estimated quality in bits that master passwords must have. For example, by specifying KeeMasterPasswordMinQuality=64, only master passwords with an estimated quality of at least 64 bits will be accepted.