Where Windows stores your WiFi password

Windows keeps the password for every network you have ever connected to, encrypted in a system folder. You can retrieve it without resetting your router or calling your internet provider. The password is stored under your user account, so you need to be logged in as an administrator — the account that set up the computer — to see it.

There are two ways to find it: through the Settings app (the simpler route for most people) or through the Command Prompt (faster if you know the network name). Both take about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in your user account settings, and you can view them without resetting anything.
  • The Settings app method works on all Windows versions and requires only clicking through a few screens.
  • The Command Prompt method is faster once you open it, but only if you remember your network name exactly.
  • You must be logged in as the account that originally connected to the network to see its password.
  • If you cannot remember the network name, the Settings method shows you a list of all networks you have ever used.

Finding your password through Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet on the left side, then click WiFi. You will see a list of networks you have connected to before. Find the network you need the password for and click it.

Click Manage known networks at the bottom of the screen. Find your network in the list and click it. A new window opens showing network details. Click Security at the top. You will see a field labeled Security key with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Check the box next to Show to reveal the actual password in plain text.

Windows may ask you to confirm you are the account owner by entering your password. Type it and click OK. The WiFi password now appears on your screen. You can copy it by clicking the password field, pressing Ctrl+A to select all, then Ctrl+C to copy.

Finding your password through Command Prompt (all Windows versions)

This method is faster if you already know your network name. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) on Windows 11, or Command Prompt (Admin) on Windows 10. If you see a security prompt asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes?", click Yes.

Type this command exactly as written and press Enter:

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

Replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network. If your network name has spaces or special characters, keep the quotation marks around it. The password appears in the results under Key Content. If you see "Key Content : Not found", the network was set to not display the password, which is rare.

If you do not remember your network name, type this command instead to see a list of all networks you have connected to:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find your network name in the list, then run the first command again with that exact name.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If both methods show nothing or say the password is not available, the network was set up with a security setting that hides stored passwords. This is uncommon on home networks but happens sometimes on corporate or school networks. You will need to reset the network connection and re-enter the password manually.

To reset the network, go back to Settings, click Network & Internet, then WiFi, then Manage known networks. Find the network and click Forget. Disconnect from WiFi, then reconnect. When you do, Windows will ask you to enter the password again. After you enter it, you can retrieve it using the same methods above.

Retrieving a password you never set up yourself

If someone else set up the network on this computer, you cannot see the password unless you are logged into their account. Ask them to log in and follow the steps above, or ask them for the password directly. If the original account no longer exists on the computer, the password cannot be recovered — you will need to reset the router.

If you own the router but forgot the password entirely, you can reset it to factory settings by holding the reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so you will need to set up the network from scratch. Check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact reset procedure, as it varies by model.

Why Windows stores these passwords

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to re-enter them every time you reconnect. The passwords are encrypted using your user account, which means only someone logged into your account can see them. This is why you need administrator access — it prevents other people using the same computer from viewing your network passwords.

If you share a computer with others and want to keep your WiFi password private, create a separate user account for them. They will not be able to see passwords stored under your account, though they can still connect to networks you have already connected to.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Windows stores passwords for every network you have ever connected to, even if you are not in range of that network now. You can retrieve any of them using the methods above, as long as you are logged into the same account that originally connected to the network.

What if I type the command wrong?

The Command Prompt will say "The system cannot find the file specified" or show an error. Check that you typed "netsh wlan show profile" exactly, with spaces in the right places. The network name must match exactly, including capital letters and spaces. If you are unsure, use the Settings method instead — it shows you a list so you cannot make a mistake.

Does viewing the password change anything on my router?

No. Viewing the password only reads what Windows has stored. It does not reset anything, change settings, or notify your router. You can view it as many times as you want without any effect.

Can I see passwords for networks on someone else's computer?

Only if you are logged into their user account. If you are logged in as a guest or a different account, you cannot see their passwords. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized access to network information.

What if the password shows but it does not work when I try to connect?

The password Windows shows is what it has stored, but it may not match what is currently set on the router if someone changed the password after you last connected. Try the password anyway — sometimes it works despite appearing different. If it does not work, you will need to reset the router or contact whoever manages it to get the current password.