Authentication error connecting to Git on TFS

I’m throwing this out there since I couldn’t find much on this specific problem. #payingItForward

Problem

I struggled getting the git command line to authenticate with Git Team Foundation Service online.

My current environment is Windows 8, msysgit, with the git-credential-winstore tool installed. (Love that credential tool)

When I first tried to (push, fetch, or pull) from a newly created TFS Git repository I received git-credential-winstore authentication dialog, entered my credentials and received the following error,

Failed to erase credential: Element not found
fatal: Authentication failed

After googling that error I found this link http://blog.jennysjottings.co.uk/2013/01/20/github-glitch/ who’s approach did not work in my case.

Solution: Short Version

1. Log into your TFS account (online)
2. go to your account settings then credentials
3. setup the alternate login

Solution: Long version

1. First go to the following link:  Use Git  and XCode with TFS
2. scroll down to the section titled:
   

   Enable basic authentication for your account

3. Follow those directions

Hope this helps.

Happy Git-ing!