How to Find Wi-Fi Password on Windows

How to Find Wi-Fi Password on Windows

Access to Wi-Fi networks is essential for work, entertainment, communication, and education. But what happens when you forget your Wi-Fi password, or need to share it with a friend or coworker? Fortunately, Windows makes it relatively easy to retrieve saved Wi-Fi passwords—if you know where to look.

In this guide, we will walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. Whether you are troubleshooting network issues or setting up a new device, this guide will cover every major method in great detail.

1. Why You Might Need to Find Your Wi-Fi Password

There are several practical reasons to locate a saved Wi-Fi password:

• You forgot the password but want to connect a new device.

• You need to share the network with a guest.

• You're troubleshooting network connectivity issues.

• You're setting up a new router or making configuration changes.

• You want to save your credentials for backup or documentation.

Fortunately, Windows stores Wi-Fi credentials securely once you connect to a network, and they can be accessed through both graphical and command-line interfaces.

2. Prerequisites Before You Start

To view saved Wi-Fi passwords, you will need:

• Administrator access to the Windows system.

• A network profile that has previously been connected.

• A stable working system (Windows 10 or 11 recommended).

• Basic knowledge of Windows interface or command line (depending on the method you choose).

Note: You cannot retrieve the password of a Wi-Fi network you’ve never connected to before.

3. Method 1: Using Control Panel (GUI Method)

This is the easiest method for non-technical users, but it only works for the currently connected Wi-Fi network.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type control panel and press Enter.

3. Navigate to:
   Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

4. Click on the Wi-Fi name next to Connections.

5. In the new window, click on Wireless Properties.

6. Go to the Security tab.

7. Check the box that says Show characters.

You will now see the password in plain text under the Network security key field.

4. Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

This method allows you to retrieve passwords for all saved networks, not just the one you're currently connected to.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

To view all saved profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

To view the password of a specific network:

netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear

Replace NETWORK_NAME with the exact name of the Wi-Fi network.

Scroll down to the Security settings section. The password will appear next to Key Content.

5. Method 3: Using PowerShell

Windows PowerShell provides another way to extract Wi-Fi credentials using a modern command-line interface.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Enter the following command:

(netsh wlan show profiles) | ForEach-Object {
  $name = ($_ -split ":")[1].Trim()
  netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear | Select-String "Key Content"
}

This will display all saved Wi-Fi network names along with their passwords in a clean, readable format.

6. Method 4: Viewing Passwords via Windows Settings (Windows 11 Specific)

Windows 11 offers slightly more streamlined UI options compared to older versions, though this method still requires Control Panel for viewing the actual password.

Quick Tip:

There’s no native option in Settings > Network & Internet to directly reveal saved Wi-Fi passwords. So for full password retrieval, you’ll still need to use either the Control Panel or Command Line methods mentioned earlier.

7. Method 5: Using Third-Party Tools (with Caution)

Several third-party tools can show saved Wi-Fi passwords, but they come with security risks. Always download such tools from reputable sources, and scan them using an antivirus program before installation.

Some popular tools:

• WirelessKeyView by NirSoft

• WiFi Password Revealer by Magical Jelly Bean

These tools can list all stored network keys on your system in one interface.

Important Security Note: These tools may be flagged by antivirus software due to their nature of accessing system credentials. Use only on personal systems and avoid on work PCs.

8. How to Manage and Secure Your Wi-Fi Password

Tips to Enhance Network Security:

• Use a strong password: Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

• Change passwords regularly: Especially if shared with guests or unknown users.

• Store securely: Use a password manager or a secure note tool.

• Limit access: Only share with trusted individuals.

Reconnect Devices When Password Changes:

When you change your router’s Wi-Fi password, remember to reconnect all previously connected devices using the new credentials.

9. Troubleshooting Tips

Issue 1: CMD shows “Key Content” as blank

• You’re trying to access a network that wasn’t saved with password.

• Use admin privileges and double-check spelling.

Issue 2: Can't access Network & Sharing Center

• Ensure that you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

• Try running Control Panel as administrator.

Issue 3: Can't find the profile name in PowerShell or CMD

• Double-check spelling and case sensitivity of the profile.

• Use the exact name as shown in netsh wlan show profiles.

10. Final Thoughts

Retrieving a saved Wi-Fi password on Windows is not difficult when you know the correct steps. Whether you prefer a graphical interface or command-line tools, Windows 10 and 11 offer multiple ways to uncover this information securely and efficiently.

For general users, the Control Panel method is straightforward and safe. For advanced users or IT professionals managing multiple network profiles, the Command Prompt or PowerShell methods are far more powerful and flexible.

Always remember to handle network passwords responsibly and avoid sharing them publicly or over unsecured platforms.

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