Where Windows stores your WiFi password

Windows 10 keeps the password for every network you have ever connected to in a find storage area called the Credential Manager. You can view any saved password through Settings, the Command Prompt, or by looking at your router itself. The fastest method depends on whether you remember the network name and whether you have administrator access to the computer.

The password is encrypted while stored, so Windows will not show it to you in plain text unless you go through one of these specific steps. This is a security feature — it means someone who sits down at your computer cannot straightforward open a file and read all your passwords.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Credential Manager, which you can access through Settings without needing the Command Prompt.
  • The Settings method works only if you remember the network name and have administrator rights on the computer.
  • The Command Prompt method shows all saved passwords at once and works even if you do not remember the network name.
  • If you cannot find the password in Windows, you can reset it directly on your router using the reset button or your router's web interface.
  • Passwords stored on Windows are encrypted and will not display unless you complete the full steps to view them.

Finding the password through Settings (fastest method)

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar, then select "WiFi" from the options that appear.

Scroll down and click "Manage known networks". You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to. Find the network name you need and click on it. Select "Forget" if you want to remove it, or select "Properties" to view the password. In the Properties window, scroll down to "Security settings" and toggle the switch next to "Show" to reveal the password in plain text.

This method requires you to have administrator rights on the computer. If you see a message saying you do not have permission, you will need to use the Command Prompt method instead or ask someone with administrator access to help.

Finding the password through Command Prompt (shows all passwords)

Right-click the Start button and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)". If you see a security prompt asking for permission, click "Yes". You must run this as administrator or it will not work.

Type this command exactly and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile

This shows a list of every network name your computer has saved. Find the network you need in the list. Then type this command, replacing "NetworkName" with the exact name from the list:

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

The password will appear next to "Key Content" in the results. Copy it exactly as it appears, including capital letters and numbers. If you see "Key Content : Absent", the network has no password or Windows did not save it.

Resetting the password on your router

If you cannot find the password in Windows or you want to change it, you can reset it directly on the router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom. Press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart.

After the restart, the router will return to its factory default password. This password is usually printed on a sticker on the bottom or back of the router — look for "WiFi Password", "Network Key", or "PSK". You can then log into the router's web interface and change the password to something you choose.

To access the router's web interface, open a web browser and type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with the default username and password from the sticker. Look for a section called "WiFi Settings", "Wireless", or "Security" to change the password.

What to do if the password does not appear

If you run the Command Prompt command and see "Key Content : Absent", Windows did not save the password. This happens when a network has no password at all, or when you connected before Windows started saving passwords. You will need to reset the router to access it again.

If you see a permission error when running the Command Prompt, you do not have administrator rights. Ask the person who set up the computer to run the command for you, or contact your IT support if this is a work computer.

If the network name does not appear in either list, your computer has never connected to it. You will need to connect to the network first by selecting it from the available networks list and entering the password, then Windows will save it for next time.

Keeping your password find after you find it

Once you have the password, do not share it in email or text message. If you need to give it to someone, tell them in person or through a find messaging app. Change the password on your router if you think someone has seen it or if you no longer trust everyone who knows it.

If you are setting up a new device on your network, you can type the password directly into the WiFi settings on that device instead of writing it down. This way only the devices you choose will have access, and you will not have to remember it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password if I am not the administrator?

No. The Settings method requires administrator rights. If you do not have them, ask the administrator to run the Command Prompt command for you. On a personal computer, you are usually the administrator unless someone else set it up.

What if I forgot the network name?

Use the Command Prompt method with the first command (netsh wlan show profile) to see all saved network names. You do not need to remember it — the command shows you every network your computer has ever connected to.

Does finding the password in Windows change anything?

No. Viewing the password does not disconnect you, change the password, or affect your network in any way. It only shows you what Windows has stored.

Can I find the password if the computer is not connected to the network anymore?

Yes. Windows keeps the password even after you forget the network or move away from it. As long as your computer connected to it once, the password is still stored and you can view it using these steps.

What if the router password is different from the WiFi password?

These are two separate passwords. The WiFi password is what you type into your phone or laptop to connect. The router password is what you use to log into the router's settings page. Windows only stores the WiFi password, not the router password.