Where your network password is stored and why you can't just look it up
Your network password — the one you type to log into your computer or phone on a home or work network — is not stored anywhere you can read it back. Once you create it, the system stores only a scrambled version called a hash. This is intentional security: even the person who set up your network cannot see your actual password, only confirm whether the one you type matches the hash.
This means you cannot recover a forgotten network password the way you might recover an email password. Instead, you reset it, which creates a new password and overwrites the old one. The method depends on what kind of network you are on and what device you are trying to access.
Key Takeaways
- Network passwords cannot be retrieved once forgotten — they must be reset by creating a new one.
- On a Windows computer at home, you can reset your password using a password reset disk you created earlier, or by using another admin account on the same computer.
- On a Mac, use your Apple ID to reset your password, or use another admin account if you have one set up.
- On a work network, contact your IT department or help desk — they have tools to reset your password without you needing physical access to anything.
- If you never created a backup way to reset your password, your options narrow significantly and may require a technician's help.
Resetting your password on a Windows computer at home
If you are locked out of a Windows computer that belongs to you, you have three main paths. The fastest is using a password reset disk — a USB drive you should have created before you forgot your password. Plug it in at the login screen, click "Reset password", and follow the prompts to create a new one.
If you do not have a reset disk, check whether there is another user account on the same computer with admin rights. Log in as that user, then open Settings, go to Accounts, select the account you are locked out of, and choose "Reset password". You can set a new password without knowing the old one.
If neither of those works — no reset disk and no other admin account — you will need to use a third-party tool like Offline NT Password Editor, which requires burning it to a USB drive or CD on another computer. This is more technical and takes longer, but it works on computers you own. If you do not have access to another computer, a local computer repair shop can do this for you.
Resetting your password on a Mac
On a Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, then "Terminal". Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open where you can select your account and create a new password.
If Recovery Mode does not work, you can use your Apple ID instead. At the login screen, click the question mark or wait for the hint to appear, then click "Reset it in iCloud". You will be taken to a screen where you can sign in with your Apple ID and set a new password for that account.
If you do not remember your Apple ID password either, you will need to recover that first through Apple's account recovery process on another device, or contact Apple Support for help.
Resetting your password on a work network
On a work computer or network, do not try to reset the password yourself. Contact your IT department or help desk instead — give them your name, employee ID or email, and tell them you cannot log in. They have administrative tools that let them reset your password without you needing to do anything on your end.
Most work IT departments can reset a password within minutes to a few hours. They will either give you a temporary password to use on first login (which you then change to something only you know), or they will send you a link to set a new password yourself. Ask them which method they use so you know what to expect.
If your workplace uses single sign-on through a service like Okta or Azure, your IT department may direct you to that service's password reset page instead. They will tell you where to go.
Resetting your password on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then "Password & Security", then "Change Password". You will need to know your current Apple ID password. If you do not, you will have to recover your Apple ID password first before you can change your device password.
On an Android phone, the process varies by manufacturer. Most phones let you go to Settings, then Accounts, select your Google account, and choose "Manage your Google Account". From there, tap "Security" and look for "Password" or "Change password". You will need your current Google password. If you do not have it, you will need to recover your Google account password on another device first.
If you are locked out of the email account tied to your phone, you may not be able to reset the phone password without that email. In that case, contact the phone manufacturer's support line or visit a store — they can help you regain access.
What to do if you cannot reset your password any other way
If you have no password reset disk, no other admin account, no access to recovery mode, and no way to verify your identity through email or phone, a local computer repair technician can help. They have specialized tools and can verify that you own the device before resetting it. This usually costs between fifty and two hundred dollars depending on the device and your location.
For work computers, never try to bypass security yourself — contact your IT department. They are responsible for access control and can help you regain entry without compromising the network.
How to avoid being locked out next time
Create a password reset disk or recovery key as soon as you set up a new computer, before you ever forget your password. On Windows, search for "Create a password reset disk" in Settings. On Mac, write down your recovery key when you first set up your account — Apple shows it once and does not show it again.
If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane, store your network password there so you can look it up if needed. This is safe because the password manager itself is protected by a master password you should memorize or store somewhere find offline.
For work accounts, write down your IT department's help desk number and keep it somewhere you can find it even if you cannot log in to your computer. Many people save it in their phone or email it to a personal account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my network password if I am already logged in?
On Windows, you can see saved Wi-Fi passwords by going to Settings, Network & Internet, Wi-Fi, then "Manage known networks" and selecting your network. On Mac, open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check "Show password", and enter your computer password. These show Wi-Fi passwords, not your login password.
What if I remember part of my password but not all of it?
You cannot use a partial password to log in. You will need to reset it using one of the methods above. However, if you remember enough to guess it in a few tries, be careful — most systems lock you out after three to five wrong attempts to prevent someone else from guessing.
Does resetting my password delete my files?
No. Resetting your login password does not touch your documents, photos, or other files. They remain on the computer. You will be able to access them once you log in with your new password.
Can my IT department see my password after they reset it?
No. Once you set a new password, only you know it. Your IT department cannot see it — they can only reset it again if you forget it a second time. This is why they often give you a temporary password and ask you to change it when ready.
What if I share a computer with someone else and forgot my password?
Ask the other user to log in with their account, then follow the steps to reset your password from their admin account. If they do not have admin rights, you will need to use a password reset disk or contact a technician.