When I booted up this morning, Skype, which is always set to start when my PC starts, told me that I had to enter my password, which I did, puzzled because it had always done this automatically. Then when I went into Windows Mail I was prompted for my username and password. Both programs opened correctly but I wonder why they hadn't done so automatically as usual?

I think that your Windows could have updated after you shut it down. This is the only logical thing I know why you need to enter your passwords again.

You are probably correct. I did not think of it at the time but there were Windows updates waiting to be downloaded and installed as I believe it was update Tuesday this week. I have had no more problems of this kind I'm glad to say.

And the updates always resets your passwords? That's strange. I haven't ever noticed that with any of my computers. I'll have to watch more this closely next time I download something.

There are other reasons that could delete the stored passwords in your computer. A virus can do it as well as a system restore. There are even times when a start-up error can erase the passwords.

What I recommend is that you must have a record of your passwords outside your computer. So if this thing happens then you won't have the trouble of remembering all your passwords.

Windows update, caps lock on, typo and you were not aware of it - anything is possible really. You would be surprised the number of times I end up typing too quick only to realize how many typo's I have really made.