I've been using keypass for years with what was probably a really ancient version. Recently I had to upgrade my workstation, so I thought I'd upgrade keypass at the same time. I save my kdbx file off to a share, then installed version 2.42.1, but when I tried to open the file from the network share, I get:
Failed to load the specified file!
The composite key is invalid!
Make sure the composite key is correct and try again.
I moved the file to my local hard drive and got the same result. I'm certain my master password is correct since I use it on keypass on almost a daily basis. Any suggestions on what I can try?
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KeePass is telling you that either you are trying to open the wrong file or you have not used the correct master key. The master key can consist of a key file as well as a password, and/or the Windows user account.
cheers, Paul
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"The composite key is invalid!" error message means that you are entering the wrong database master key. If you verified that you are attempting to open the correct database then the your database master key included a key file and/or the Windows User Account.
If you database master key included a key file, find your key file. If the key file was created by KeePass it will have a .key extension. When you attempt to open your database select the key file on the Enter Master Key dialog.
If your database master key included the Windows User Account then the procedure for opening the database depends on what you did when you upgraded. If you reinstalled Windows then you may not be able to recover your database. Please describe what you mean by "upgrade my workstation" and what backups of your old workstation are available.
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I'd upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Does the software require that you create a composite key, i.e., something other than just the master password? If so, sounds like I must have created a key file that I neglected to salvage from the old workstation. Hopefully the old workstation isn't already on a garbage barge on the way to the Bering Straits :-)
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Does the software require that you create a composite key, i.e., something other than just the master password?
All components of the database master key are optional when you define the database master key. Any master key components that you elect to use become mandatory. A password alone is usually the best option for ordinary users, but many users opt for more complex master keys. Complex master keys can add risk, especially if a user forgets that they included the additional master key components.
I'd upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10.... Hopefully the old workstation isn't already on a garbage barge...
It sounds like you made a new install on a new computer. You will need the old computer if you used a key file but didn't transfer it to the new computer and you don't have a backup copy. You will also need the old functioning computer if you included the Windows User Account in your database master key.
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Press Save
=> Error occurs:
"The new file's content does not match the data that KeePass has written, i.e. writing to the file has failed and it might be corrupted now.
Please try saving again, and if that fails, save the database to a different location"
If you close Keepass you will not be able to use the kdbx file again anymore because of error:
"Failed to load the specified file!
The composite key is invalid!
Make sure the composite key is correct and try again."
So I lost all my passwords. Doh.
WORKAROUND:
The only way you can keep your file working is to save it as a copy before you close Keepass.
The old file is not usable anymore, but the new copied file is usable with the same master password.
I am using Keepass 2.42.1 on a windows 10 Pro 64 bit machine
Although I don't know if this behaviour already exists in a older version.
It is definitely wrong in the current version.
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I've been using keypass for years with what was probably a really ancient version. Recently I had to upgrade my workstation, so I thought I'd upgrade keypass at the same time. I save my kdbx file off to a share, then installed version 2.42.1, but when I tried to open the file from the network share, I get:
Failed to load the specified file!
The composite key is invalid!
Make sure the composite key is correct and try again.
I moved the file to my local hard drive and got the same result. I'm certain my master password is correct since I use it on keypass on almost a daily basis. Any suggestions on what I can try?
KeePass is telling you that either you are trying to open the wrong file or you have not used the correct master key. The master key can consist of a key file as well as a password, and/or the Windows user account.
cheers, Paul
Do you open your database on multiple computers?
"The composite key is invalid!" error message means that you are entering the wrong database master key. If you verified that you are attempting to open the correct database then the your database master key included a key file and/or the Windows User Account.
I'd upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Does the software require that you create a composite key, i.e., something other than just the master password? If so, sounds like I must have created a key file that I neglected to salvage from the old workstation. Hopefully the old workstation isn't already on a garbage barge on the way to the Bering Straits :-)
All components of the database master key are optional when you define the database master key. Any master key components that you elect to use become mandatory. A password alone is usually the best option for ordinary users, but many users opt for more complex master keys. Complex master keys can add risk, especially if a user forgets that they included the additional master key components.
It sounds like you made a new install on a new computer. You will need the old computer if you used a key file but didn't transfer it to the new computer and you don't have a backup copy. You will also need the old functioning computer if you included the Windows User Account in your database master key.
I have got the same issue:
=> Error occurs:
"The new file's content does not match the data that KeePass has written, i.e. writing to the file has failed and it might be corrupted now.
Please try saving again, and if that fails, save the database to a different location"
If you close Keepass you will not be able to use the kdbx file again anymore because of error:
"Failed to load the specified file!
The composite key is invalid!
Make sure the composite key is correct and try again."
So I lost all my passwords. Doh.
WORKAROUND:
The only way you can keep your file working is to save it as a copy before you close Keepass.
The old file is not usable anymore, but the new copied file is usable with the same master password.
I am using Keepass 2.42.1 on a windows 10 Pro 64 bit machine
Although I don't know if this behaviour already exists in a older version.
It is definitely wrong in the current version.
This is not a KeePass issue, it's a problem saving and that is handled by Windows / external storage.
The answer is always make regular backups of your database and print an Emergency Sheet.
cheers, Paul