readme.md dead link to Jaap Brasser's blog

[olegstrutinskii]

Verified issue does not already exist?

I have searched and found no existing issue

What error did you receive?

readme.md contains broken link to blog post by Jaap Brasser's

To store credentials to disk, please read more at Jaap Brasser's blog.

Worth to post in some other place?

Last live copy - https://web.archive.org/web/20220930040257/https://www.jaapbrasser.com/quickly-and-securely-storing-your-credentials-powershell/

Steps to Reproduce

click the link to Jaap Brasser's blog

Please confirm that you are running the most recent version of dbatools

Nothing here

Other details or mentions

No response

What PowerShell host was used when producing this error

Windows PowerShell (powershell.exe)

PowerShell Host Version

Noting here

SQL Server Edition and Build number

Nothing here

.NET Framework Version

Nothing here

[olegstrutinskii]

Or better link to Rob Sewell's blog post - https://blog.robsewell.com/blog/good-bye-import-clixml-use-the-secrets-management-module-for-your-labs-and-demos/

[niphlod]

I feel rob's post is "too advanced" for a quickstarter posted on the readme.md of dbatools. I found these alternatives with a quick google search https://www.alitajran.com/securely-store-credentials-powershell/ https://www.vgemba.net/vmware/powershell/Saving-PowerCLI-Credentials/

so I "vote" either for these or just editing the readme.md including that Export-CliXml is a "nice/fast" way of doing things that keeps things secure even on disk by default AND linking rob's like "for more advanced usage see ..."

@potatoqualitee : what do you think ?

[potatoqualitee]

@claude check to see if this is still an issue, if we should add niph's responses to the readme and if so, create a PR

[claude[bot]]

Claude finished @potatoqualitee's task —— View job • claude/issue-9619-20251026-1047 • Create PR ➔

---

Investigation Complete ✅

Tasks

• [x] Read readme.md to locate the broken link
• [x] Verify the current link status
• [x] Assess whether to add credential storage guidance
• [x] Update readme.md with credential storage section
• [x] Commit and push changes
• [x] Provide PR creation link

Findings

The broken link to Jaap Brasser's blog no longer exists in readme.md. The link has already been removed in a previous update.

However, the Authentication section lacked guidance on securely storing credentials to disk, which was the purpose of the original Jaap Brasser link.

Changes Made

Added a new "Storing Credentials Securely" subsection under Advanced Usage > Authentication (readme.md:228-240) that:

• Explains Export-CliXml / Import-CliXml for secure credential storage
• Notes that credentials are encrypted with Windows DPAPI
• Provides clear examples for saving and reusing credentials
• Links to Rob Sewell's guide for advanced credential management approaches

This follows niphlod's suggestion to keep it simple for quick-start users while providing a path to more advanced approaches.

Next Steps

--- | Branch