Streamline Your Bitwarden Experience: Customizing the Password Generator for New Vault Entries

Bitwarden is a powerful password manager, known for its security and features. However, one common point of friction for users is the default password generator settings when creating new vault entries. Many users have asked: "Is there a way to customize the default password generator settings within Bitwarden when creating a new entry?"

This article explores the options, limitations, and potential workarounds related to customizing the default settings of the password generator when adding new items to your Bitwarden vault.

Understanding the Default Password Generator in Bitwarden

Bitwarden offers a built-in password generator, a critical tool for creating strong, unique passwords for online accounts. You can access the password generator in two ways:

• Tools Menu: This allows full customization - length, character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols), and even the ability to generate passphrases.
• New Vault Entry: When creating a new login, you can generate a password directly within the entry creation form. Here's the catch: the customization options are limited.

The Challenge: Limited Customization During Entry Creation

Many users prefer tailoring password complexity based on the website's security demands. While Bitwarden's Tools menu grants fine-grained control, the password generator integrated into new vault entries initially offers limited options. This often leads to the question:

"Is there currently a way to edit what the default settings are in the password generator as I’m creating a new entry?" - Bitwarden Community User

Unfortunately, at the current time, Bitwarden does not offer a direct way to globally modify the default settings of the password generator specifically within the new vault entry creation process.

Possible Workarounds and Best Practices

While direct customization is unavailable, here are a few workarounds to streamline your password generation process:

• Use the Tools Menu Password Generator: Generate the password with your desired settings in the Tools menu, then copy and paste it into the new vault entry.
• Browser Extension as Primary Method: Use the Bitwarden browser extension. When creating an account on a website, the extension will automatically suggest a strong password, based on your general password generation configurations set within the extension's settings.
• Consider Standard Password Length: Setting a preferred password length (e.g., 16 characters) and character composition.
• Feature Requests and Community Engagement: Bitwarden values user feedback. Suggest the feature to the Bitwarden team through their official channels to be considered in future updates.

Importance of Strong, Unique Passwords

Regardless of the method you use, it's essential to prioritize strong, and unique passwords for each online account. Password managers help you with generating and storing these passwords, which protects your online presence. Security practices include:

• Password Length: Aim for minimum of 12 characters (higher, if that is optional).
• Character Variety: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid Common Words/Phrases: Prevent using easily guessable passwords.
• Unique Passwords: Use a different password for each of your online accounts to prevent security breaches.

Future Enhancements and User Feedback

Bitwarden is continuously evolving. If customizing the default password generator settings in new vault entries would improve your workflow, consider:

• Submitting a feature request: Bitwarden actively monitors community feedback.
• Engaging in community discussions: Share your desired functionality.

By actively participating in the Bitwarden community, you can help shape future updates and improvements.