Where Windows stores your WiFi password

Windows 10 keeps the password for every network you have ever connected to, encrypted in a file on your computer. You can view that password without resetting the network or asking your router — it takes about two minutes. The password appears in plain text once you open the right settings panel, so anyone with access to your computer can see it.

This is useful when you need to connect a new device, share the password with a guest, or confirm you are using the password you think you are. It also shows you if someone changed the password without telling you — the stored version will not match what is actually on the router.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, then Manage Known Networks to see every network your computer has connected to.
  • Click the network name, then Properties, then scroll down to find the password listed under "Network security key".
  • The password shown is what your computer has stored — if you changed the router password recently, this will show the old one.
  • Anyone with physical access to your computer can view all your stored WiFi passwords this way, so keep your computer locked when you are away.

Step-by-step: viewing a stored password

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" — the Settings app will appear at the top. Click it to open.

In Settings, click the icon that looks like a WiFi symbol or the words "Network & Internet" on the left side. Then click "WiFi" in the left menu. You will see a section called "Manage Known Networks" — click that.

A list of every network your computer has connected to will appear. Find the network name (called the SSID) that you want the password for and click it. A panel will open on the right side showing details about that network.

Click the word "Properties" in that panel. Scroll down until you see a line that says "Network security key" — the password is shown right there in plain text. You can now copy it or write it down.

What to do if the password does not appear

If you see "Network security key" but the field is blank or grayed out, Windows does not have permission to show you the password. This happens when your user account does not have administrator rights on the computer. You will need to log in as an administrator or ask whoever set up the computer to show you the password.

If the network does not appear in the "Manage Known Networks" list at all, your computer has never connected to it. You cannot view a password for a network you have not joined before — you would need to get the password from whoever set up the router or from the router itself.

Finding the password on the router instead

If Windows does not have the password stored, or if you need the current password (not the one your computer remembers), you can find it on the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back with the network name and password printed on it. Look for words like "WiFi Password" or "Network Key" on that sticker.

If the sticker has worn off or the password has been changed since the router was set up, you can log into the router through a web browser. Open any browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and press Enter. You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the router sticker. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "WiFi Settings" or "Wireless" to see the current password.

Why the stored password might not match the real one

Windows shows you the password your computer has stored in memory, not necessarily the password currently set on the router. If someone changed the WiFi password after your computer last connected, Windows will still show the old password. This is why the password method works — your computer can still connect using the stored version until someone forces it to reconnect.

If you try to connect a new device and the password does not work, this is often the reason. Check the router sticker or log into the router to see the current password, then update it on the new device.

Keeping your passwords find

Because Windows stores passwords in plain text once you know where to look, anyone who can sit down at your computer can see every WiFi password it has ever used. Lock your computer when you step away — press the Windows key and the letter L at the same time, or click your user icon in the bottom left and select "Sign out".

If you suspect someone has seen your passwords, change the WiFi password on the router itself. Log into the router as described above, find the WiFi settings, and change the password to something new. Your computer will ask for the new password the next time it tries to connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

Yes. Windows stores passwords for every network your computer has ever joined, whether you are connected now or not. The network just has to appear in the "Manage Known Networks" list.

What if I forgot the password and cannot see it in Windows?

Check the sticker on the back of your router first — most routers ship with the password printed there. If that does not work, log into the router at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 using the username and password from the sticker, then look for WiFi settings to see or change the password.

Does viewing the password in Windows change anything on the router?

No. Looking at the stored password in Windows does not affect the router or the network in any way. It only shows you what your computer remembers.

Can I remove a network from the stored list?

Yes. In the "Manage Known Networks" list, click the network you want to remove, then click "Forget". Your computer will no longer remember that network, and you will need the password to connect to it again.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password this way?

It is safe to share the password itself — that is what it is for. But be careful about who you give access to your computer, since they can see all your stored passwords, not just WiFi.