C# - The type or namespace name 'Security' does not exist in the namespace 'Windows' (are you missing an assembly reference?)

Question

I'm trying to run this script but the IDE gives me the error mentioned in the title, specifically on line 6. I'm using Xamarin Studio 6.3 with .NET 4.5 as my target framework. I chose a .NET Console Project as my solution for running this program. I've tried adding System.Security as an assembly reference, still received the error. Then I added every .NET 4.5-related reference to my project just in case, issue persisted. Here is the script I'm trying to run:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Windows.Security.Credentials;

namespace PasswordVaultTest
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Create a handle to the Widnows Password vault
            Windows.Security.Credentials.PasswordVault vault = new PasswordVault();
            // Retrieve all the credentials from the vault
            IReadOnlyList<PasswordCredential> credentials = vault.RetrieveAll();
            // The list returned is an IReadOnlyList, so there is no enumerator.
            // No problem, we'll just see how many credentials there are and do it the
            // old fashioned way
            for (int i = 0; i < credentials.Count; i++)
            {
                // Obtain the credential
                PasswordCredential cred = credentials.ElementAt(i);
                // "Fill in the password" (I wish I knew more about what this was doing)
                cred.RetrievePassword();
                // Print the result
                Console.WriteLine(cred.Resource + ':' + cred.UserName + ':' + cred.Password);
            }
            Console.ReadKey();
        }
    }
}

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 23 '17 at 01:09

1

The Reference you need to the Windows namespace is not visual by default. Per Alex's answer at the below post:

In the desktop projects the Core tab doesn’t appear by default. You can add the Windows Runtime by opening the shortcut menu for the project node, choosing Unload Project, adding the following snippet, and re-opening the project (on the project node choose Reload Project). When you invoke the Reference Manager dialog box, the Core tab appears.

<PropertyGroup>
    <TargetPlatformVersion>8.0</TargetPlatformVersion>
</PropertyGroup>

Make sure to check the Windows box on this tab. You should then be able to use WinRT elements.

I have done this and your code statement above compiles without error. Here is a link to the original answer:

How to access the stored credentials (Password Value?)

answered Dec 23 '17 at 01:09

slashNburn

464
4
17

I understand the gist of what I need to do but I'm unsure how to do it because of my inexperience with the UI. In detail, how do I unload a project? – Jan 07 '18 at 11:32
For xamarin studio, [this link](https://forums.xamarin.com/discussion/8574/project-unload) or [this link](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16373169/how-to-unload-project-in-xamarin) should help. I believe the person who asked the question in the first post is the same one who answered the question in the second post. Both are a few years old but might be able to point you in the right direction. – Sudsy1002 Jan 16 '18 at 19:09
I've unloaded the project, added the snippet, and reloaded the project. According to slashNburn, there should be a Windows reference but I don't have one. https://i.imgur.com/1uZrOHg.png – Jan 17 '18 at 04:32

C# - The type or namespace name 'Security' does not exist in the namespace 'Windows' (are you missing an assembly reference?)

1 Answers1